This June, the fourth Arctic Arts Summit convenes in Ubmeje/Umeå, Sweden, bringing together more than 600 artists, cultural workers, academics and policymakers from across the Circumpolar North. Since its launch in Harstad, Norway, in 2017—with subsequent editions in Rovaniemi, Finland, and Whitehorse, Canada—the Summit stands as the only cultural forum of its kind at the intersection of Arctic arts, culture, policy and research.
Ahead of the event, which will take place from June 16 to 18, 2026, the Canada Council is supporting three interconnected residencies on the Swedish side of Sápmi, the traditional homeland of the Sámi people. Designed to foster long‑term collaboration and strengthen Indigenous arts leadership across the Circumpolar North, the residencies will support a wide range of Indigenous artists from Canada, who will also participate in Summit panels and programming. During the event, Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.—the only Inuit broadcaster producing 100% Inuktitut content—will deliver live coverage, through a partnership with the Canada Council’s Creating, Knowing and Sharing program.
Inspired by this year’s Summit theme—Land, Power, Art—three attending artists reflect on how land and power in the Arctic resonate through their art.