Joanna Sundström: My 5 Best Art Crawls

Joanna Sundström has always had a close relationship with art and culture, though she initially studied economics at university, with art history as a minor. After serving on the board of the Market Art Fair and traveling widely in the art world, she felt a strong urge to share her fascination. She especially enjoyed seeing how different cities came alive around major art fairs. The idea behind Stockholm Art Week is to spotlight Stockholm as a city of art, foster collaborations across borders, and make art more accessible – all while sparking interest among both the curious and the already initiated.

“I’m convinced that cross-border collaboration makes us stronger – and that art is contagious. If you come here to experience art, it’s great that so much is happening at once,” she says.

Since its inception, Stockholm Art Week has grown significantly and is now recognized far beyond Sweden. Today, it’s part of a broader network of European art weeks, which facilitates international exchange through The SPIDER, an art network.

“Unlike some other events, the art here is truly accessible and open to everyone. There's something for all ages, and many museums and exhibitions offer guided tours in different languages. I really believe Stockholm Art Week is a fantastic opportunity to explore the city’s art scene,” says Joanna.

Stockholm, she believes, offers a wide and exciting selection of art.

“There’s a good mix, and it’s easy to get around. You can squeeze in a lot of exhibitions in one day – by walking, taking public transport, or cycling. It’s not like visiting one museum makes you feel ‘full’ – more often, it makes you want to see even more,” she says.

Joanna Sundström’s 5 Best Art Crawls

Djurgården: “It’s the perfect mix of culture, art, and nature. There are many fantastic museums here, like Liljevalchs, Spritmuseum, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, and Thielska Galleriet. There’s also a lot of public art placed throughout history – right now it’s especially fun to see how Princess Estelle Sculpture Park grows by one new piece each year. To see it all, I recommend taking a break at Rosendals Trädgård, Skroten, or the new café by the bridge, Stockholm 1897. For a more substantial lunch, I’d head to Spritmuseum, the newly reopened Djurgårdsbrunn, or make it luxurious at AIRA.”

Östermalm: “The gallery cluster at Hudiksvallsgatan is a must for lovers of contemporary art, but there’s a new and growing cluster in Östermalm, where many top galleries are within walking distance. My route starts at Larsen Warner and continues to Saskia Neuman Gallery, then Dalenson Gallery, Andréhn-Schiptjenko, Public Service Gallery, CFHILL, STANCE, and Galerie Nordenhake – I love ending at Belenius. Some other galleries that often stand out and do something fresh are Seinsland Berliner, Coulisse, Issues, Beau Travail, and the newly opened Ditte Laridsen.”

The Carl Eldh Studio Museum: “Perhaps Stockholm’s most beautiful hidden art gem — a wonderfully intimate museum tucked away on a hill by the busy Roslagstull roundabout. It’s like stepping into a time capsule filled with sculptures, history, and personality. Truly one of a kind.”

Full-Day Tour: “For a full-day tour, I start at Wetterling Gallery near Kungsträdgården, have lunch at Lydmar or Nationalmuseum, then head to Moderna Museet. These are two of our best art museums, and both have open studios for kids — I often take my own children there on Sundays.”

For International Guests
“When I want to show the breadth and variety of Stockholm’s art scene, I begin at Hospitalet in Danviken — a former mental hospital now turned contemporary art venue. I also take visitors to Sven-Harrys Konstmuseum, which features not only exciting exhibitions but also a unique recreated home on its rooftop. Artipelag is another must, with its stunning sculpture park and breathtaking natural surroundings. For serious art lovers, I also bring them to Bonniers Konsthall, known for ambitious, thought-provoking exhibitions, and to Accelerator — a contemporary art center at the university that focuses on the intersection of art and science. We usually end the day with dinner at Persona or Brutalisten.”