Abstract

The article examines the cultivation ideals that have emerged in public debates surrounding Moderna Museet – the Swedish Museum of Modern Art – between 1972 and 2006, with a focus on how these ideals have been shaped by evolving societal and cultural policy expectations. The concept of cultivation ideals [kultiveringsideal] refers to the perceived roles that the museum should play in cultivating specific qualities in its visitors, as well as the means through which this cultivation should be achieved. Throughout the debates, six distinct cultivation ideals emerged. Rather than being fixed or universally agreed upon, the cultivation ideals emerging from the public debate on Moderna Museet have been continuously reshaped throughout the museum’s history. However, although the ideals have shifted, they all emphasise the modern art museum’s role as a cultivating institution.