Art intermediaries as catalysts for added exchange and sustainability in the Arctic

This study defines art intermediation as an emerging professional field that facilitates cross-sector collaboration and supports sustainability-driven artistic practices. Art intermediaries – such as agents, managers and art institutions – initiate and enable new modes of working for artists across different sectors. The research was conducted as arts-based action research at Boden Business Park, Sweden, located in a municipality undergoing rapid transformation due to several large-scale green industry developments. Drawing on a pilot adaptation of an artist residency model within this business environment, the study investigates the role of art intermediaries by analysing their practical function in a sustainability-focused collaboration between an artists and a company. In this pilot, a public art institution acted as the intermediary organisation, seeking a cross-sector partnership to address sustainability challenges. The research data consists of survey responses and interviews with the artist, the intermediary and a representative of the business park. Also, the artworks exhibited in the residency are presented and discussed. The analysis shows that art intermediaries play a critical role in integrating artists into cross-sector collaborations. By acting as bridge builders, they support artists in navigating expanded professional landscapes and in the meaningful incorporation of artistic work into workplace communities. The findings highlight the essential role of art intermediaries in enabling artistic engagement that goes beyond traditional contexts, fostering innovation and community development through cross-sector synergies. The study calls for further research and development to further decolonise art and strengthen intermediary organisations, particularly in the Arctic context.