NEWS
UNIQUE COLLABORATION
This year, architect Ivar Tengbom's proud concert hall in Stockholm turns 100, which is being celebrated in many different ways. Among other things, through a competition that has come about in a unique collaboration between Konserthuset Stockholm, the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and the Swedish Trade Union Confederation of Arts and Crafts.
UPCOMING
THE THINKING HAND
DIGITAL EXHIBITION WITH YOUNG ANIMALS
Den tänkande handen (The Thinking Hand) has been an annually recurring scholarship competition and exhibition for young cartoonists for ten years through a collaboration between the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and the Royal Court.
The Academy of Fine Arts' selection committee has nominated ten out of 250 applicants who will now be able to show their works in a digital gallery during the period April 23 to June 23, 2026 at Kungligaslotten.se/dentänkändehande
ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION
An exhibition is planned for October 10–November 21 in the halls of the Academy of Fine Arts with the then 30 scholarship recipients who have been awarded the scholarship during the years 2017–2026. This will be the end of the scholarship competition. Den tänkande handen (The Thinking Hand) which was instituted on the occasion of HM the King's 70th birthday in 2016.
THE ACADEMY OF ARTS ACTIVITIES
TO THE DEFENSE OF VALHALLABAD
The Academy of Fine Arts supports the cultural heritage organization Europa Nostra and the architectural association FASAD's fight against the demolition of Valhallabadet, Gothenburg – one of Europe's seven most endangered cultural heritage sites.
RESIDENCE PERMIT
– difficult equation for artists
Alqumit Alhamad has been living and working in Sweden since 2017, and is one of many who have now had their application for a permanent residence permit rejected. The Swedish Migration Board states that he cannot demonstrate regular income from a permanent employer as the reason for the decision.
ART AND ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPE BEST IN FREEDOM
The Academy of Fine Arts, like the Academy of Fine Arts, wants to strongly emphasize the importance of continued artistic and academic freedom for art and architecture.
LOOK IN AFTERWARDS
CULTURAL POLITICS ELECTION DEBATE
This year is an election year.
On March 18, the Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and Visual Arts Sweden organized a cultural policy election debate where parliamentarians explain how they want cultural policy to develop during the next term.
You can watch the debate afterwards here:
NEW AT THE ACADEMY OF ARTS
OPEN EVENING ON WEDNESDAYS
at 11.00-20.00
During the spring, the Academy of Fine Arts invites you to an evening open house every Wednesday. Take the opportunity to experience our current exhibitions in a quiet evening rhythm, visit the library or sit down in the café. As always, admission is free!
During the evenings, there are also program activities in the auditorium with talks, lectures and other events that deepen the experience. An open meeting place for art, architecture and conversation – midweek – in the middle of Stockholm. > Activities
THE LIBRARY OPENS TO THE PUBLIC
The Academy of Fine Arts' special library is a reference and research library with literature that primarily reflects the Academy of Fine Arts' collections, activities and members.
Opening Hours
The library is open to the public on Wednesdays from 11.00 am to 20.00 pm.
MEMBERS
JOHAN HEDBORG (1930-2026)
Architect Johan Hedborg has passed awayHe became 95 year. Som lecturer, head of department and teacher of form theory at Chalmers in Gothenburg He came to inspire and influence many of Sweden's leading architects today. Several of them, like himself, members of Academy of Arts.
JOHN SJÖSTRÖM (1931-2026)
Academy of Fine Arts member John Sjöström, architect, has died. In his autobiography An architect's memories and thoughts about houses (2019) he states that: “A question that I have constantly returned to is the relationship between old and new – learning from the best of the old and resisting the rush for new. Quality, not renewal, should be decisive in all construction.”
ANNIVERSARY DAY 2026
At the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts' Celebration Day on Friday, February 13, 2026, prizes, rewards and scholarships worth approximately SEK 1.900.000 were awarded.
>To the program and pictures
> Read more about the award winners
THE FIRE AT THE ACADEMY OF ARTS
HISTORICAL FINDS IN THE ACADEMY OF ARTS HOUSE
Ever since the fire in June, extensive conservation and renovation work has been underway in the house. Soot-damaged stucco, joinery, glass ceilings, decorative painting and other details of cultural and historical value are being cared for by skilled conservators and craftsmen. Several exciting discoveries have been made in connection with the work.
SOOT DAMAGE
More information about the fire:
> Fire seminar
> Cleanup and conservation underway
> The way forward
> Historic fires at Fredsgatan 12
> A true hero
> Updated information, June 8, 2025
> Fire at the Academy of Fine Arts, June 7, 2025