City Case Description: Stockholm & Cross-Innovation with Performing Arts

How does “prototyping” work?

This City Case Description is the outcome of a policy prototyping exercise within a city ecosystem.
Once the ekip research team has explored a policy area and its connection to cultural and creative
industries (CCIs) and innovation, we ask: what would this mean in a local city context?

Together with local stakeholders, we test how a draft policy recommendation might stimulate innovation. Using Portfolio Sensemaking, stakeholders simulate an innovation portfolio, analyse the strengths and gaps of the local support system, and identify what resources are needed to realise the portfolio.

Stockholm Context & Area of Focus

Stockholm is an innovation leader with cutting-edge technology companies, world-class academic institutions as well as a vibrant performing arts scene. Yet these actors rarely meet in sustained, structured ways that enable genuine cross-innovation.

Budget cuts in culture are affecting not only cultural organisations but also the specialised tech companies that serve performing arts. In insecure times, everyone plays it safe. What about sharing ideas, knowledge, resources – and risks together instead? How can an Innovation Hub for the Performing Arts support cross-innovation and development across Sweden?