The article “New Genre Arctic Art in Institutional and Activistic Contexts” has been published
Dissertation Researcher Johanna Ruotsalainen has published a new article in the international journal Museum Management and Curatorship. The article, titled “New Genre Arctic Art in Institutional and Activistic Contexts,” examines how the institutional art world responds to new genre Arctic art as a phenomenon that extends beyond conventional definitions of art.
In her study, Ruotsalainen interviewed four experts known for their innovative approaches to curating in Arctic contexts: Neal Cahoon, Amanda Hakoköngäs, Ásthildur Jónsdóttir, and Ekaterina Sharova. Three of them – Cahoon, Jónsdóttir, and Sharova – have curated exhibitions presented by the Arctic Sustainable Art and Design (ASAD) Thematic Network, and Jónsdóttir and Sharova are active members of ASAD.
The concept of new genre Arctic art has previously been defined by ASAD members in the Arctic Yearbook, where it gained visibility in research discourse. In the published article, Ruotsalainen analyses the interview material to explore how curatorial practices both support and challenge the institutional recognition of this emerging art form.
The research findings reveal tensions between inclusion and exclusion: while certain curatorial strategies enable the recognition of the characteristics of new genre Arctic art, institutional structures may simultaneously marginalise them. Ruotsalainen argues that enabling Arctic artists to remain active in their home region should be considered a matter of cultural policy.
In the current geopolitical situation, marked by growing multi-agenda interest in the Arctic region, local artists play a crucial role in fostering sustainability and promoting cultural continuity and pride. Further discussions on the topic are expected to take place at the Arctic Arts Summit in June 2026 in Umeå, Sweden.
More information
Arctic Arts Summit: https://arcticartssummit.com/
Jokela, T., Huhmarniemi, M., Beer, R. & Soloviova, A. (2021). Mapping New Genre Arctic Art. Arctic Yearbook 2021.
Ruotsalainen, J. (2024). Discursive Frameworks of Arctic Art. Arctic Yearbook, 2024.
Ruotsalainen, J. (2026). New genre Arctic art in institutional and activistic contexts. Museum Management and Curatorship, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2026.2626870