Visual Arts Residencies in Norway

AiR Vesteraalen

Melbu, Norway

AiR Vesterålen is a comprehensive artist residency programme across five municipalities in the Vesterålen islands, Norway, involving locations in Bø, Øksnes, Andøya, Sortland, and Hadsel with themes like Art/Nature/Play, Art/Coastal Culture, Art/Technology, Art/Urban Spaces, and Art/Community. It welcomes professional artists, curators, writers, and cross-disciplinary practitioners for two stays of 10 days each over two years, focusing on local research, community engagement, and public presentations. The programme provides accommodation, travel coverage, a fee of 7000 NOK per stay, production costs up to 10,000 NOK, and facilities like shared workspaces, library, gallery, and stage, though it entered its final year in with no new applications.

Artist in Residence Bergen at USF Verftet

Bergen, Norway

The Artist in Residence Bergen at USF Verftet is a program offered by USF Verftet, a former sardine factory turned contemporary culture house in Bergen, Norway, providing 3-month residencies to professional foreign artists in all fields to foster collaborations with local artists. It includes a rent-free studio and accommodation, though artists must cover all other expenses like travel and materials. Note that as of January , Bergen municipality has withdrawn funding, leading to reduced residencies and a delayed application ; contact air@usf.no for updates.

Hordaland Kunstsenter in Bergen, Norway, has hosted an artist residency program since 1987, open to international artists, curators, writers, researchers, and other contemporary art professionals for research, production, and exchange with the local scene. Residencies typically last 1-2 months or 4-8 weeks, often themed (e.g., curatorial practices, writing), and include covered travel, furnished accommodation, stipend, workspace, and support for public presentations.

Kunstnarhuset Messen (KH Messen)

Ålvik, Norway

Kunstnarhuset Messen (Arthouse Messen) in Norway offers a unique artist-in-residence program in the scenic Hardangerfjord area. Aimed at artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers, the residency fosters free expression and collaboration in a community setting. Housed in a historic 1918 building, the center provides space for both Norwegian and international artists across various disciplines. The program, accommodating up to six artists simultaneously for 1-3 months, includes shared living and working spaces, free material access, and exhibition opportunities. Emphasizing cultural exchange and nature-inspired creativity, Messen enriches the artistic journey with its stunning natural surroundings and vibrant local heritage.

Kunstnerhuset I Svolvaer

Svolvaer, Norway

Kunstnerhuset i Svolvaer is an artist residency and guesthouse on Svinøya island in the historic Svolvær stockfish harbor, originally established in 1952 (replacing a 1934 cabin) for Norwegian and Swedish visual artists, now open to all professional artists. It provides accommodation, shared studios (including a printmaking room), workspaces, and opportunities for courses, with flexible rental periods from days to months. Managed by the North Norwegian Art Centre, it supports artistic creation, idea exchange, and hosts events like the Lofoten International Art Festival.

Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder

Mellomveien 5, Norway

LKV has 2 studios and 4 small apartments for guest artists. The studios are 4,2 x 6 m, height to ceiling is 3,8 m. Studio and apartment are free of charge for the guests. There are no grants or reimbursements. Artists can apply for a residency of 1 or 2 months. Since 2019 LKV has two apartments for interdisciplinary artists, these apartments do not have a studios, but rather other options depending on the field of the artists.Application deadline is March 1st every other year. You will find more

Leveld Kunstnartun

Ål, Norway

Leveld Kunstnartun is an international artist residency program established in in Leveld, Norway, offering free accommodation, workspaces, and a monthly stipend to professional artists including visual artists, writers, musicians, curators, filmmakers, dancers, and architects for stays of 1 to 3 months. It promotes interdisciplinary artistic expression in a mountain village setting with facilities like bright studios, a writing room, graphics workshop, and equipped living quarters, while hosting open studios, workshops, and summer exhibitions.

Nordisk Kunstnarsenter Dale / Nordic Artists’ Centre Dale

Dalsåsvegen 143, Norway

NKD is an independent foundation concentrating exclusively on long-term residencies, workshops and projects. Residencies are offered to visual artists, architects, and designers. The centre has five private residency houses, one for each artist, and five 50 m² studios with a 6-meter-high ceiling and north-lit panorama windows. An additional common studio and carpenter’s workshop furnished with a good selection of equipment and heavy machinery are also at disposal. The artists’ lodgings are fully

Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA)

Oslo, Norway

The Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) offers an invitation-only International Studio Programme in Oslo for international artists, curators, and cultural practitioners linked to specific research and projects in Norway. The program provides accommodations and studios at OCA's location in Grünerløkka, Oslo, encouraging residents to engage with the local art scene and foster exchanges with Norwegian professionals. OCA primarily focuses on promoting Norwegian contemporary art internationally through grants and outbound residencies, with the Oslo program being a key inbound opportunity.

Spitsbergen Artists Residency

Longyearbyen (Svalbard), Norway

The Spitsbergen Artists Center, located in Longyearbyen, Norway, offers a unique artist residency program in the Arctic environment. It's situated in Nybyen, part of Longyearbyen, named after American John Munro Longyear, who founded the town in 1906 as a coal mining hub. The center, housed in a historical building constructed in 1947 as a store for miners, now focuses on fostering connections among artists from various countries and disciplines, emphasizing projects related to the Arctic and climate change. The residency operates year-round, inviting artists to engage in creative projects or research that involve the Arctic. Artists are encouraged to contribute to the community through exhibitions, workshops, or lectures during their stay. The facility includes private rooms, a common area with a fully equipped kitchen, shared bathrooms, and internet access. The residency costs 15,000 NOK per month, with an additional charge for double occupancy. The center also features a craft center, open for specific hours and events, showcasing and selling local artists' and craftspeople's work. Additionally, it provides an exhibition space for local and international artists to display works related to polar regions and climate change. Located at 78°12.2' N 015°35.3' E, the center is accessible by plane from Oslo and Tromsø. Visitors should be prepared for extreme weather conditions and aware of local safety guidelines, including precautions against polar bears. The residency does not accommodate children and may not be suitable for those with mobility challenges. There are no art or camera supply stores in Svalbard, so artists are advised to bring necessary materials.

The Arctic Circle

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway

The Arctic Circle is an annual expeditionary residency program established in 2009, focusing on interdisciplinary collaborations among artists, scientists, architects, and educators. Participants explore the high-Arctic Svalbard Archipelago and Arctic Ocean aboard a specially equipped expedition vessel. The program encourages engagement in contemporary issues and professional development through fieldwork, research, and public engagement. It supports the creation and exhibition of new work, fostering individual creativity and collaborative efforts. The Arctic Circle accepts applications from international contemporary artists, scientists, architects, educators, and innovators. The program includes hotel accommodation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, all meals on board, shore excursions, and access to onboard facilities. Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The expeditions offer opportunities for personal projects and collaborations, with two distinct expedition opportunities aboard different vessels. Both vessels provide workspace, common areas, and privacy for productivity and creativity. The Arctic Circle team offers comprehensive support in expedition preparation and logistics planning, ensuring a safe and productive environment for all participants. The program takes place in the international territory of Svalbard, near the North Pole, offering a unique environment for artistic and scientific exploration.

Tou Scene

Stavanger, Norway

Tou Scene Residency is a program at Tou Scene, a center for contemporary arts in Stavanger, Norway, aimed at strengthening the production of new media, visual, and performance art. Artists are offered free accommodation for up to 2 weeks year-round in a project room with access to studios and facilities in a former brewery by the seaside. Residents are encouraged to work on their production and may optionally present their work to the local network and audience.