Our Work and Mission
Millesgården is one of Sweden’s great total works of art – dramatically situated on a terraced sculpture park atop the cliffs of Lidingö, with fountains, floral displays, and sweeping views of Stockholm. In 1907, the artist couple Carl and Olga Milles purchased a plot of land on the Herserud Cliff high above Värtan, with the vision of building a home and studios. The house, designed by architect Carl M. Bengtsson, was completed in 1908. Over the following decades, Millesgården was continuously expanded and developed in close collaboration with Carl Milles’ half-brother, architect Evert Milles.
In 1936, Millesgården was transformed into a foundation and donated as a gift to the Swedish people. “The foundation shall aim to preserve, for future generations, the Lidingö home of Professor Carl Milles and his wife Olga Milles, along with the collections already present and those added over time, and to make the home and its collections accessible to the public.” (Excerpt from the foundation statutes)
Millesgården is an independent, non-profit art institution. Its ongoing activities are financed through entrance fees, sculpture sales, and public support from national and local authorities. To bring Millesgården to life through temporary exhibitions and public programming, philanthropic donations and support from companies, foundations, and private individuals are also essential.
Mission
We protect and honor the gift that Carl and Olga Milles gave to the Swedish people – Millesgården. A historic place where people of all ages and backgrounds, whether scholars or first-time visitors, can experience and be moved by art.
Millesgården is a place of beauty – but also of reflection.
By offering a wide audience a relevant and inspiring museum experience, we share knowledge, broaden perspectives, and promote well-being.
Vision
Our vision is for Millesgården to be the first exciting step into the world of art – and a positive force for social change.
Millesgården shall be an inclusive and vibrant meeting place where generations and people from all walks of life come together to experience art, nature, and culture.
Values
Audience Focus: The public is at the heart of everything we do. As a gift to the Swedish people, Millesgården carries an obligation. We work actively to make the museum accessible and to reduce physical and psychological barriers to experiencing art.
Responsibility: We take active responsibility for the challenges of our time. This includes preserving Millesgården’s heritage and authenticity, as well as engaging in ecological, cultural, and social issues through strong local presence and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Quality: We aim for excellence. Through professional and systematic work, we ensure that high quality permeates all aspects of our operations and that we meet the expectations placed upon us.
Collaboration: We seek a vibrant dialogue with our audience and community. By being a generous and attractive partner and building long-term relationships, we reach new audiences and secure sustainable funding. It is in dialogue with others that new knowledge and magic arise.
Art: We believe in the transformative power of art and in artists' ability to inspire, provoke thought, and offer new perspectives. We create engagement through art and its dialogue with other artistic expressions and with the unique environment of Millesgården.