Innovating cultural event information platforms: a regional case study from Småland, Sweden

Purpose The paper investigates the fragmented landscape of cultural event information in Sweden, focusing on Småland. It aims to assess the potential for a centralized, user-friendly digital platform to enhance discoverability, accessibility and engagement across cultural audiences and providers. Design/methodology/approach The study combines a review of 82 regional and international cultural event information platforms (CEIPs) with two online surveys conducted in 2023 (n = 34) and 2024 (n = 23). Survey participants included cultural professionals from regional and municipal organizations in Småland. Findings Municipal CEIPs often lack advanced filtering, multilingual support and personalization features. Select international platforms demonstrate more sophisticated functionality. Survey data reveal a strong interest in a unified platform, with emphasis on integration of information on events, inclusivity and usability. Key barriers include administrative burden and long-term maintenance concerns. Practical implications Results inform the development of a flexible, metadata-rich CEIP prototype aligned with municipal infrastructure and user needs. Recommendations highlight actionable features for developers, municipalities and cultural institutions. Social implications A well-designed platform can improve cultural participation, especially for underserved groups such as newcomers, non-native speakers and digitally excluded audiences, contributing to greater cultural equity and accessibility. Preserved data on cultural events over time can serve as a basis for planning future cultural policies. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study offers one of the first regional assessments of CEIPs in Sweden, combining platform analysis with stakeholder insight. It identifies best practices across metadata design and interface functionality.