About Arts Council Norway

The Council normally meets six times a year. The Council has ten members, appointed by the Government.

The professional committees
27 professional committees are appointed to deal with specialist fields. Members are appointed on the basis of their artistic and cultural qualifications. In addition, there are a number of project groups and sub-committees, such as the evaluation and appeals committee for literature. In connection with its preparation of matters for comment and discussion, the Council also makes extensive use of external consultants and maintains regular contacts with a large number of highly qualified advisers.

The administration
Arts Council Norway encompasses two other independent funding institutions: the Government Grant for Artists and the The Audio and Visual Fund. The administration also plays a vital role in the strategic development of the archive and museum sectors in Norway. All together, these three institutions employ a staff of approximately 100, including management, executive officers in each of the special fields, and clerical and accounting staff. The research section also engages personnel on a project basis.

Arts Council Norway is currently under reorganisation. January 1st 2011, the Norwegian Archive, Library and Museum Authority (ABM-utvikling) is no longer an independent institution, and its tasks in the archive- and museum departments and the administration have been transferred to Arts Council Norway.

A new structure for the Arts Council and a new, common web site will be in place in 2011.

Annual conference
Each year the Arts Council organises a conference on a specific cultural topic. Participants include cultural operators, cultural workers, and representatives from the local, regional and national authorities.

The Council's award
The Arts Council annually awards a special prize for outstanding achievement in the arts to a prominent Norwegian cultural figure. The official awards ceremony is held in the beginning of December. Internationally acclaimed recipients include actress and film director Liv Ullmann, composer Arne Nordheim, architect Sverre Fehn, author and playwright Jon Fosse.