The Nordic Centre of Heritage Learning (NCK) is a Nordic collaborative initiative for creative research and experimental method development within the field of cultural heritage learning. Through advanced cultural heritage learning, NCK aims to integrate Nordic cultural heritage into social development in a way that promotes lifelong learning, regional development and sustainable growth.

NCK was founded in 2005 by the then management of the Regional State Archives in Östersund, the Popular Movement Archive in Jämtland County and Jämtland County Museum (Jamtli). Not only were these three cultural heritage institutions physically located next to each other, they also shared a long-standing involvement in cultural heritage learning issues. And so, when the idea of coming together within the field of cultural heritage learning first arose, it quickly took root.

There were two guiding principles when turning NCK from an idea into reality: the desire to bring together practitioners from various types of cultural heritage institution, and the hope that Nordic collaboration could be developed and formalised. The founders succeeded in doing so and in 2005, with support from leading universities and cultural heritage institutions throughout the Nordic region, NCK was formed.

NCK’s objectives are to:

-         gather in and convey experiences and research results
-         encourage skills development and education
-         initiate, carry out and act as an arena for research and development projects
-         constitute a natural meeting place for those who are active within the field

NCK is based in Östersund, Sweden and run jointly by Jamtli, The Popular Movement Archives in Jämtland County and The Regional State Archives in Östersund.