The Society does this by responsibly managing its endowment capital. The yield generated is distributed as scholarships and project grants. Those eligible to receive support are students, researchers, teachers and professionals connected to the University of Gothenburg’s programmes in design and crafts, which have their historical roots in the school founded by the Society in 1848. The Society also supports public lectures and similar activities held in collaboration with the Röhsska Museum.
Until the 1960s, the Society and the school were directly linked, with the Society’s board also serving as the school’s governing body. Thereafter, the City of Gothenburg assumed responsibility for the programmes until the higher education reform of 1977. Today, education and research in design and crafts form part of HDK-Valand, Academy of Art and Design, which belongs to the Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts at the University of Gothenburg. The Society, however, continues independently as a completely separate organisation, maintaining its tradition of awarding scholarships and grants – an activity it has carried on since the school’s beginning in the 19th century.
Membership
Membership
As a member, you become part of a living history dedicated to promoting design and craft. Your membership fee not only supports the Society – it also gives you the chance to win in our annual membership lottery in December. The prizes consist of unique works purchased from craftspeople and designers connected to the school. The drawing takes place at a members’ gathering with drinks and light refreshments, to which all members are warmly invited. Every member has an equal chance of winning, regardless of attendance.
Membership fee: 150 SEK/year
Swish to: 123 391 1864
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Current Board
The board consists of five members. According to the statutes, two of these must be the Head of School and the Director of the Röhsska Museum. The remaining three are elected at the annual meeting in May, based on nominations from the election committee. The current board consists of:
Eva Engstrand, Chair
Magnus Borelius, Treasurer
Klara Brynge, Board Member
Klara Björk, Permanent Board Member as Head of HDK-Valand
Nina Due, Permanent Board Member as Director of the Röhsska Museumir
Markus Bergström serves as the Society’s secretary and is responsible for ongoing administrative tasks.
History & Donations
History
The Society was founded in 1846 with the aim of establishing a school for young pupils, making them better equipped to earn a living in the crafts that were being reshaped by the new industries of the time.
In the mid-19th century, the word slöjd referred to emerging industrial activity within the crafts. A driving force behind the school was Carl Palmstedt, who was also involved in the founding of Chalmers. In 1848 the Slöjdförening School opened. At first, it was itinerant. Before moving in 1875 into its first dedicated premises at Vasagatan 50 (today housing parts of HDK-Valand), teaching was held in the East India Company’s building by Hamnkanalen. Over time, the school’s ambition became increasingly artistic, especially in its so-called higher courses.
In 1906, the Society’s school at Kristinelundsgatan was completed, featuring bright, airy studios and well-equipped workshops. The school expanded, soon fitting out the attic floor as well. In the 1950s the building was further extended, connecting with the neighbouring Röhsska Museum. To this day, education and research in design and crafts remain in this building, now owned by the City of Gothenburg (Higab). Careful observers can still spot the school’s original name above the main entrance.
From early on in the Society’s history, the City of Gothenburg contributed significant funds towards the running of the school. But support also came from other sources, both businesses and private individuals. An important addition to the Society’s activities has long been donations and gifts, which still occasionally arrive. These accumulated funds constitute today’s endowment capital, which the Society’s board manages. The capital currently amounts to around SEK 20 million (2025).
Donations and Funds
Throughout its history, the Society has received many donations and gifts, collected into funds – some small, some large. Sometimes, but not always, donors have specified a particular focus determining which candidates may be considered. The board’s task has been to manage the funds in the best possible way. At present, the board engages Söderberg & Partners to manage a portfolio consisting mainly of shares. The returns form the basis for scholarship and grant distribution.
Over the Society’s long history, many funds have been depleted or merged into what is now known as the Consolidated Funds. The most recent fund is the Margit Claesson Fund. The Society received this generous donation in 2022. The following currently exist:
Margit Claesson Fund (textile focus)
Zachrisson and Lindegren Fund (graphic focus)
Inga and Ove Blidberg Fund
Karna Asker Fund
Ole Kruse Fund (crafts focus)
Einar Forseth Fund (design focus)
Einar Forseth Fund (form focus)
Lyckholm Fund (industrial and product design focus)
Consolidated Funds including funds in memory of Emma Jacobsson (textile focus), Albert Ekman (graphic focus), Karl-Ingemar Johansson (jewellery focus) and Nils-Henry Mörck
info@slojdforeningen.se
