The allocation of public funds to arts and culture is not typically regulated by law in Sweden. National public funds are instead determined on a yearly basis by the parliament in the national budget. The only major exception to this rule has long been Public Service broadcasting, which is funded by a special tax (previously a TV license fee) and regulated in law. Some regulations regarding the Culture Cooperation Model (see chapters 1.2.3 and 1.2.6) are, furthermore, regulated in the law on certain government grants to regional cultural activities (2010:1919).
This lack of specific legislation is a characteristic feature of the Swedish model of cultural policy. Objectives are instead decided on either by parliamentary decision (as with the general cultural policy goals), or in the specific instructions given either in the national budget (by annual parliamentary decision), or by the government. The majority of cultural policy is implemented by government agencies, and similar bodies, which are constitutionally separated from the government ministries, and only subjected to decisions and regulations made by the government collectively, or by parliament. The powers of a government minister are thus severely limited, but in practice include the power to make propositions to the government concerning instructions to government agencies, appointments of their directors and board members, and concerning the government bill on the national budget (see also chapters 1.1, and 1.3).
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