Knowledge & Skills: Visual literacy as critical security infrastructure
Defence spending for the arts
A pioneering collaboration between the arts and defence sectors launched in Sweden.
The Swedish Psychological Defence Agency has commissioned Bildkonst Sverige (Visual Arts Sweden) to undertake a study into visual literacy as critical security infrastructure. It will explore how equipping society with visual literacy can combat disinformation and thereby strengthen national defence. With the majority of digital misinformation now image-based, it is hoped that the study will pave the way for funded programmes to develop educational materials and programmes for people as well as for critical actors within psychological defence.
Bildkonst Sverige’s Magdalena Malm says:
The visual arts hold an in-depth knowledge, which is right now essential for society and our ability to defend ourselves. This isn’t about art funding—it’s defence spending. Just as we once built bomb shelters, we now need to arm citizens with critical thinking against visual manipulation. In an era of deepfakes and algorithmic warfare, visual literacy is civil defence.
The Swedish defence sector sees the value the arts offer. This is a great example for the often hidden value of arts and culture. It is encouraging in the current climate when culture organisations have concerns that funding will be cut in light of many countries increasing their defence spending.
Knowledge & Skills: Visual literacy as critical security infrastructure
Defence spending for the arts
A pioneering collaboration between the arts and defence sectors launched in Sweden.
The Swedish Psychological Defence Agency has commissioned Bildkonst Sverige (Visual Arts Sweden) to undertake a study into visual literacy as critical security infrastructure. It will explore how equipping society with visual literacy can combat disinformation and thereby strengthen national defence. With the majority of digital misinformation now image-based, it is hoped that the study will pave the way for funded programmes to develop educational materials and programmes for people as well as for critical actors within psychological defence.
Bildkonst Sverige’s Magdalena Malm says:
The visual arts hold an in-depth knowledge, which is right now essential for society and our ability to defend ourselves. This isn’t about art funding—it’s defence spending. Just as we once built bomb shelters, we now need to arm citizens with critical thinking against visual manipulation. In an era of deepfakes and algorithmic warfare, visual literacy is civil defence.
The Swedish defence sector sees the value the arts offer. This is a great example for the often hidden value of arts and culture. It is encouraging in the current climate when culture organisations have concerns that funding will be cut in light of many countries increasing their defence spending.
Knowledge & Skills: Visual literacy as critical security infrastructure
Defence spending for the arts
A pioneering collaboration between the arts and defence sectors launched in Sweden.
The Swedish Psychological Defence Agency has commissioned Bildkonst Sverige (Visual Arts Sweden) to undertake a study into visual literacy as critical security infrastructure. It will explore how equipping society with visual literacy can combat disinformation and thereby strengthen national defence. With the majority of digital misinformation now image-based, it is hoped that the study will pave the way for funded programmes to develop educational materials and programmes for people as well as for critical actors within psychological defence.
Bildkonst Sverige’s Magdalena Malm says:
The visual arts hold an in-depth knowledge, which is right now essential for society and our ability to defend ourselves. This isn’t about art funding—it’s defence spending. Just as we once built bomb shelters, we now need to arm citizens with critical thinking against visual manipulation. In an era of deepfakes and algorithmic warfare, visual literacy is civil defence.
The Swedish defence sector sees the value the arts offer. This is a great example for the often hidden value of arts and culture. It is encouraging in the current climate when culture organisations have concerns that funding will be cut in light of many countries increasing their defence spending.
