SSE President Lars Strannegård named most influential on Sweden鈥檚 art scene in 2025
From left: Tinni Ernsjöö Rappe, Executive Director of the SSE Art Initiative, and Lars Strannegård, President of SSE. Photo by Karl Börjesson.
“Together with, among others, Tinni Ernsjöö Rappe, he has brought art into the heart of education and offers a new generation a journey of learning that fundamentally transforms our society,” Barnebys Magazine writes in its motivation. “Strannegård’s ideal of education safeguards the role of culture in societal development, making him one of Sweden’s most influential and powerful voices in the cultural debate—far beyond the walls of academia."
The annual ranking highlights individuals who shape and influence Sweden’s cultural landscape, and features artists, curators, gallerists, collectors and cultural leaders. Compiled by a diverse jury, the selection process considers factors such as innovation, leadership and the ability to influence both the art market and public discourse.
Central part of SSE’s identity
Known for his belief that education should nurture not only analytical ability but also cultural and aesthetic sensitivity, Strannegård has made the arts a central part of SSE’s identity. Established in 2013, the SSE Art Initiative supports the school’s educational mission FREE—Fact-based, Reflective, Empathetic, and Entrepreneurial—by embedding art throughout the campus, fostering a culture of creativity and critical thinking.
Key highlights of the initiative include a permanent collection of artworks that transform everyday spaces into immersive art experiences; classrooms that have been transformed into art installations by renowned artists such as Marie-Louse Ekman and Yinka Shonibare; and exhibitions and events that seek to advance cultural literacy and foster empathy.
Strannegård credits the wider SSE community, including students, faculty, and collaborators, for embracing and furthering the FREE model and the human values essential to fostering the leaders of the future.
“I’m personally humbled by this recognition which reflects not just my personal commitment, but the shared belief at SSE that the arts are essential for understanding and leading in a complex world,” Strannegård says.
The full list of Sweden’s 51 most influential figures in the art world is .
