New genre Arctic art in institutional and activistic contexts

A discussion of the definition of Arctic art has begun to identify the concept as a separate phenomenon from all regional art of the Circumpolar Arctic and from the Nordic style as an aesthetic. However, its narratives are still absent from the global discourse – within the institutional artworld and within cultural-political decision-making alike. This article examines whether institutional actors who dominate cultural politics and curatorial processes identify the need to review art more in relation to the context in which it was created. Four expert interviews were conducted to determine whether the institutional artworld recognises new genre Arctic art either as a possible representation of contemporary art within institutional concepts or as a phenomenon independent of the institutional definition of art. The research data revealed curatorial experiences that both support the inclusion and maintain the exclusion of characteristics of new genre Arctic art in the context of the institutional artworld. As the current geopolitical situation creates a multi-agenda interest in the region, local artists can be prominent operators when building more sustainable futures, promoting cultural continuity, Northern pride and the revitalisation of Northern knowledge. Enabling the activity of Arctic artists in the region should be considered a cultural policy issue.