Title: From a house for cultural formation to a pleasure palace A study of how the concepts of culture are being (re)produced in local media in relations to the establishment of two culture houses in northern Sweden By analysing the concept of culture, (re)produced in local media content about two culture houses in northern Sweden – Kulturens hus in Luleå and Sara kulturhus in Skellefteå – this study investigates and problematises the ongoing struggle for power in the different discourses on the significance of culture in society. A power struggle which the establishment of culture houses in northern Sweden is a publicly debated part of. This debate includes different views on how society’s money should best be used and for what benefit and what values the culture houses are a representation of. There is also another issue that engages people: what do we really mean when we talk about culture in relationship to the culture houses?The analysis of the media content shows that the houses are being politically decided upon and built by using a business related discourse, including arguments of economical growth and enhanced levels of attraction and branding for the cities where the houses are being established. What the analysis also suggests, is that as time goes by, the politicians and the culture house managements tend to pay less attention to the business related discourse and instead upgrade the social values of the culture houses, as a meeting place for the local inhabitants of the cities and also for hosting collective experiences of art and participation in non-profit activities. Keywords: Culture houses, power struggle, significance of culture in society, business related discourse of culture, social values of culture, northern Sweden.