Danish government proposes 11.1 million kroner for Viborg animation centre

The Danish government has proposed a special grant of 11.1 million kroner to support animation and digital technologies, DR reports. The funding would go to the National Centre for Animation, Visualisation and Digital Storytelling, based at The Animation Workshop in Viborg.

Jakob Skov Sabra, the workshop’s head of research and development, celebrated the proposal by baking lemon cake for colleagues. “It is a huge victory for the animation community and a huge victory for Viborg,” he said.

The centre works on research and innovation in areas including artificial intelligence, digital learning, health and culture. The proposed grant is for 2027.

The Animation Workshop had been facing the loss of its annual state operating grant of 10.6 million kroner at the end of 2026. Sabra said that could have led to up to 15 staff losing their jobs, and described the wait for the budget proposal as nerve-racking.

He said he hoped the centre would eventually receive longer-term funding, but was grateful for the political support. The workshop is part of VIA University College and has about 250 students across three international programmes in animation, games and other visual technologies.

Viborg has held UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts status since 2019. The workshop is part of the city’s animation, games and digital technology community.