Review of artistic programmes

The Vice-Chancellor has been commissioned by the University board with reviewing the conditions, future prospects, and development opportunities for artistic programmes at Luleå University of Technology. The aim is to determine what is required to offer high-quality education and research within the available financial framework.

About the review

The focus of the review is to identify the conditions under which the University's artistic programmes have the greatest potential to be strengthened and developed.

This includes an operational analysis, an inventory of facilities and equipment, an analysis of how relevant stakeholders are affected, and at least two alternative scenarios with descriptions of consequences and opportunities, along with recommendations.

Artistic programmes include include those based on artistic practice as well as scientific activities with artistic elements. Currently, the University’s artistic programmmes take place on the campuses in Piteå, Skellefteå, and Luleå.

Alternative scenarios

• Relocate all artistic programmes from Piteå and Skellefteå to Luleå.
• Expand artistic programmes in Piteå.
• Other alternative scenarios identified during the course of the review may also be presented.

Questions to be addressed in the review

• What would be the consequences of the different scenarios for the University, students, and other academic disciplines and operations?
• What potential synergies between artistic programmes and other subjects could be created within the University?
• What would be the impact on external stakeholders?
• How would this affect the University’s finances?
• What opportunities exist for external funding and new business models?
• What existing or new organisational structure should artistic programmes belong to?
  

The background

Over the past 10–15 years, activities at the Piteå campus have declined as a result of several programmes being discontinued. Based on this background, and following the February 2025 decision to phase out the Audio engineering programme/subject, the University Board has commissioned the Vice-Chancellor to review the conditions, future, and development potential of the University’s artistic programmes, based on various scenarios.

Organisation

• Commissioning party: Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn, Vice-Chancellor
• Project leaders:
  • Pam Fredman, Lead project manager. Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg, former President of SUHF, member of the Wallenberg Foundations and President Emerita of the International Association of Universities. Her academic weight and artistic understanding make her particularly well suited to lead this review.
  • Anders Hultqvist, Co-project manager for the artistic aspect. Professor of Composition at the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg, with extensive artistic research and composition projects in areas such as sound art and contemporary music. He is also well-acquainted with northern Sweden and collaborates with Heads of subject at the University.
  • Iréne Lernstål Askenrydl, project manager, facilities.

• Steering group: The Vice-Chancellor’s executive – Birgitta Bergvall-Kåreborn (Vice-Chancellor), Pär Weihed (Pro Vice-Chancellor), Sara Thorgren (Deputy Vice-Chancellor), and Maria Lundgren (University director).

Timetable

Interim reports will be presented to the University Board in June and September. The final report will be submitted at the Board’s meeting in November.