Art for integration: political rationalities and technologies of governmentalisation in the city of Malmö

Abstract

Cities increasingly use artistic and cultural activities to promote active citizenship and social cohesion. We suggest that city-sponsored cultural and artistic practices in Sweden are finding a new discursive context in migration. In this article, we look at two artistic and cultural institutions in Malmö, Sweden: Arena 305 and Drömmarnas hus. We develop a typology of governmentalisation based on the work of Nicholas Rose and Peter Miller, which allows us to describe the governing activity of Arena 305 and Drömmarnas hus. What becomes visible is the discrepancy between the moral form of the political rationalities and the technologies of government: even though institutions may harbour ideals and principles of inclusion, they are perfectly capable of sustaining activities that brighten the very boundaries they set out to challenge.

Keywords:

• art
• culture
• cities
• integration
• social cohesion
• governmentalisation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Berndt Clavier

BERNDT CLAVIER is Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Communication at the Malmö University.

Asko Kauppinen

ASKO KAUPPINEN is Associate Professor in the School of Arts and Communication at the Malmö University.