To mark the 15th anniversary of the Association of Art Centres in Norway (KiN), KiN and Kunstnernes Hus are pleased to invite you to an international professional seminar on 11 February 2026, 09:30–16:00.
How can artist-run institutions continue to function as vital spaces for artistic freedom, public debate, and democratic infrastructure in a time of economic uncertainty, political polarisation, and increasing structural pressure on the arts?
Across Europe, art institutions are increasingly caught in a complex cross-pressure between political agendas, economic constraints, private funding and sponsorship interests, and growing public scrutiny and conflict. These conditions directly affect what can be shown, said, and discussed, and under what circumstances.
Through presentations and panel discussions, the seminar will explore the role of artist-run institutions as spaces for expression, as part of the public sphere, and as essential democratic infrastructure, not only in Norway, but in a wider European and international context.
The seminar will address key questions such as:
- How can institutions safeguard artistic freedom and independence?
- How do we navigate between urgent crises and long-term structural reform?
- What structural vulnerabilities does the field face today?
- How are expectations and ambitions for art institutions changing?
Participants:
- Monika Georgieva, Laurentz space (Vienna, Austria)
- Julie Lomax, CEO of a-n The Artists Information Company (London, UK)
- Sarah Lookofsky, Director of Kunstnernes Hus (Oslo, Norway)
- Trygve Luktvasslimo, artist and the chair of North Norwegian Art Centre (Svolvær, Norway)
- Isabelle Reiher, Director of L’Institut d’art contemporain (Villeurbanne, Lyon, Rhône-Alpes, France)
- Émilie Renard, Director of Bétonsalon – Centre for Art and Research (Paris, France)
- Ruben Steinum, Director of the Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) (Oslo, Norway)
- Axel Wieder, Director of the Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art (Berlin, Germany)
- Kathrine Wilson, Curator and Director of the Nitja Centre for Contemporary Art, (Lillestrøm, Norway)
- Miriam Wistreich is the director of Young Artits’ Society (Oslo, Norway)
- Irija Øwre, Director of Format (Oslo, Norway)
