IV: work opportunities


Many artists need a job – for periods of time - beside their art practice in order to earn a living. Here you’ll find information about different types of jobs that provide flexibility with an art practice. 

Before you begin searching for a job decide what type of work is acceptable in that it will not interfere with your art practice; consider work hours, time flexibility, wages, social security benefits, professional development, etc. Some prefer to freelance while others prefer regular jobs within or outside the art field.

Freelancing/assignments:

There are numerous freelance job opportunities in Norway for both shorter and longer assignments in (for example) production, assisting artists, lecturing, giving workshops and courses, graphic design, photography, etc.

Assignments you invoice should be for a specific, and limited period of time, such as curating an exhibition or creating a homepage. If the assignment lasts for a longer period of time and doesn't have a specific task you should be employed as a staffer; for instance, if you manage a gallery or work in several parts of a production.

A general advice is that even if you work as a freelance that you try to get it paid as salary, it gives you more rights. If it is not possible, remember that you should add 35-40 % on your hourly rate to cover cost as vacation money, pension, administration and other costs that you normally would have included when you get salary.

Figuring out your status or how much you should charge for artistic assignments can be a bit tricky. Unsurprisingly artists generally tend to be underpaid. It’s important to find a wage balance – don’t overcharge either. As a freelancer you have neither the rights of a payroll employee, nor are you entitled to vacation pay or health insurance. In invoicing a client consider how much time the assignment required, taking into consideration preparation/idea development, implementation and management of the project.

CREO has an overview of different freelance rates and recommended minimal rates: https://creokultur.no/lonn-og-arbeidsvilkar/frilanssatser/

Timepriskalkulatoren https://timepriskalkulatoren.no/  is a tool to help you calculate your charging price.

You could also look into what should be your anual salary, based on experience and education, if you worked in the state. https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/arbeidsliv/Statlig-arbeidsgiverpolitikk/lonn-og-tariff-i-staten/lonnstabellen/id438643/

  • Searching for freelance assignments:

Often the key is to get the first assignment; thereafter you become known and hopefully hired for additional assignments. As a general rule consider what the job requires of you and the rewards, i.e., pay/exposure. Consequently, when necessary be flexible if accepting a lower than desired day rate means getting important exposure. You might also consider doing volunteer work to get experience and broaden your network.

Always put forth your best effort even if the work seems insignificant. Doing a good job builds trust and establishes you as reliable. Employers will only hire someone they know can deliver. Be patient because it takes time to build a network and gain experience.

 Let people around you know about your qualifications and that you are looking for assignments. There are two Facebook page called Jobb for kunstnere (Jobs for Artists) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403856096614541/ Jobb for kunstnere (Jobs for Artists) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1009715889069888/ which is advisable to follow. And the Instagram account Kunstjobber https://www.instagram.com/kunstjobber/

  • Public commission

There are several commissions for artists across the country. Sometimes there are open qualification rounds where you submit your CV and portfolio. Some of the announcements are published on KORO’s (Public Art Norway) page www.koro.no and https://www.facebook.com/kunstioffentligeromnorge, listed in the magazine Billedkunst and on the Facebook group Søknadsfrister for kunstnere.

NNKS (North Norwegian Art Centre) have published a set of useful information for artists working in public space and applying for public commissions: https://nnks.no/kunst-i-offentlige-rom

KORO announces assignments for curators, consultants and producers. If you wish to be part of the consultant network, you can apply to be admitted by register your CV at https://www.koro.no/oppdragsportal/utlysning/nettverk/. Most of these assignments are independent work.

Den kulturelle skolesekken (DKS) is a national initiative to present professional art and culture to schoolchildren in Norway. Many artists have been on tour with DKS; it’s a great opportunity to develop workshops or presentations based on your own practice – it’s well paid. Payment is as a freelance employee. 

DKS is arranging a number of paid residencies to develop your project, check out deadlines at their page. The deadline is 1st of October for all the regions. Check out the information here: https://www.denkulturelleskolesekken.no/forside/om-dks/utover/

Useful links:

Frilansliv (in Norwegian) https://podtail.com/no/podcast/frilanslivet/
is a podcast about freelancing. Interviews with cultural workers, artist, writers and musicians.

CREO - overview of freelance rates https://creokultur.no/lonn-og-arbeidsvilkar/frilanssatser/

Frilansinfo (in Norwegian)
https://frilansinfo.no/
Information page for freelancers.

Facebook group Søknadsfrister for kunstnere https://www.facebook.com/groups/858742554169756/

Facebook page called Jobb for kunstnere (Jobs for Artists) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1009715889069888/

Instagrampage Kunstjobber https://www.instagram.com/kunstjobber/

How to calculate hourly rate for assignments https://timepriskalkulatoren.no/

Jobs within the art field:

While employers do advertise for workers it is wise for artists to actively network amongst acquaintances and institutions of interest.

  • The Aspirant Scheme (Aspirantordningen) https://www.kulturradet.no/stotteordning/-/vis/aspirantordninga is funded through the Arts Council Norway for recently educated artists and cultural workers with minority backgrounds who live in Norway; it provides work experience for one year in an art or cultural institution. The plan provides full payment to train and work for one year. Contact an institution that you would like to work with and inquire as to whether or not they’ll apply for the plan with you. It's a unique opportunity.

  • Artist Assistant scheme (Kunstnerassistentordningen) https://www.kulturradet.no/stotteordning/-/vis/kunstnerassistent

    is funded through the Arts Council Norway and allows an establishing artist to work as a part-time assistant for a more established colleague for one year. During this year the assistant is free to maintain their own art practice and apply for other sources of funding. UKS has created a matching group on Facebook for artists and assistants https://www.facebook.com/groups/1506220876124502/about/. If you’d like to be an assistant for an artist you respect contact the artist directly.

  • Art museum, gallery, art institutions: There are a number of art institutions throughout the country so explore job opportunities in your local region; contact galleries, museums, art centers/institutions and ask if they have any job openings. State your interest in working for them and willingness do so in a range of different job positions, i.e., exhibition guide, gallery tasks, administration, mounting/technician, curator and management. If there are no available positions send them your CV and request that they keep it on file for future reference. Remember that a simple weekend position or being on call as a substitute might eventually result in a permanent job.

  • Cultural offices in the municipality There are a few positions in the municipalities’ cultural sector. Contact your local Cultural Office and ask about job opportunities or check out the municipality website; they have a page dedicated to available jobs.

  • Teaching There are various teaching opportunities at art colleges, art schools, high schools and primary schools. Sometimes vacancies are announced for both permanent and temporary jobs. Working as a substitute teacher or giving a short course/workshop provides entry experience and might eventually lead to a permanent job. Contact relevant schools and offer your services.

    Most municipalities have Cultural Schools (Kulturskole). Contact your local Kulturskole and inquire about possible work opportunities.

Jobs outside of the art field:

Some artists maintain a job outside the art field. Adapt and market your skills and work experience to appeal to relevant job opportunities - be realistic regarding what you can offer an employer. Many jobs require the ability to proficiently speak Norwegian so learning the language is important.

  • Job vacancies

https://www.jobbnorge.no and https://www.finn.no provides you with an overview of many available jobs, so does NAVhttps://arbeidsplassen.nav.no/. Search for job by location, type of job, and full time/part-time/permanent/temporary positions.

NAV has also made a guide about how to seek jobs, that are written in English: https://www.nav.no/en/home/work-and-stay-in-norway/work-in-norway

Elementary schools are consistently in need of substitute teachers and teacher assistants in SFO (Skole Fritidsordning). Check your municipality's website or contact schools and offer your services.

The substitute bureaus Manpower https://www.manpower.no and Adecco https://www.adecco.no offer substitute labor to a great number of employers. Register on either website and they’ll contact you whenever a position you’re qualified for is available.

  • Restaurants and cafes

A job in a restaurant or café often provides flexible work hours; it can also be a good entry point to the job market while searching for other opportunities.

  • Health and social sector

There is often a great need for assistants/substitutes in various types of health institutions such as adult care facilities and child welfare institutions. Personal assistants (personlig assistent/støttekontakter) are also positions worth considering. Contact your municipality or check the municipality's website for available positions.

  • Vinmonopolet

https://www.vinmonopolet.no is a state-owned company that provides good salaries and security in terms of pensions and rights.

Boring, but necessary, things

It is important as either a freelancer or staff employee to be aware of your labor rights and what you are entitled to in regards to insurance and pension benefits. 

  • Pension

If you are self-employed there is no employer who is paying your pension, so you If you are self-employed there is no employer paying into a pension plan on your behalf. Thus, you must do so if you want to secure an additional pension beside the minimum pension provided by the government. The self-employed have two options for private pension plans - both offer tax deductions:

One is a voluntary pension plan (Frivillig innskuddspensjon) through your sole proprietorship or company based on the Pension Act; you have a deduction for up to 7% of personal income between 1 and 12 G. 1 G is currently NOK 111 477. It needs to be paid before 31.03.

You can also have a private pension plan (Individuell pensjonssparingsplan).

Contact your bank or insurance advisor to determine which plan would best suit you.

For more information (in Norwegian) https://blogg.fiken.no/pensjon-for-selvstendig-naeringsdrivende/

  • Social benefits

The self-employed do not have the same NAV-rights as payroll employees. If you are self-employed you must understand how being an independent worker will impact your social benefits should you become disabled/ill or when you retire.

  • Sick leave

A staff employee receives 100% salary from their first sick day; their employers cover sick pay the first 16 days. Thereafter NAV covers sick pay. The self-employed are uncovered for sick benefits before NAV steps in. Consequently, they will not receive such benefits until the 17th day of sickness, and then only at 65% of the estimated annual (personal) income.

NAV has a supplementary insurance that you should consider: There are 3 options to choose from: 100 % cover from day 17th, 75 % cover from day 1 or 100% from day 1.

Rules for calculating sickness benefits are defined in the National Insurance Act's provisions.

  • Insurance

The artists’ insurance system includes a separate insurance plan for members of a number of artist organizations. If you are a member of an artist organization, or are professionally organized, review the types of insurance they offer.

https://www.kunstnerforsikringen.no

  • Workers rights

As an employee you have some basic rights. When you accept a job make sure the conditions and salary are acceptable. If you are a member of a labor union send them the contract and get their approval. Importantly, know about your rights as an employee. You can find information about payment and minimum wages, working hours, holidays and labor rights at arbeidstilsynet.no

About payment and minimum wages: https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/pay-and-minimum-rates-of-pay?nav-veiviser=12899

About Working Hours: https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/working-hours?nav-veiviser=12899

About Holidays and rights: https://www.arbeidstilsynet.no/en/working-conditions/holiday/?nav-veiviser=12899

If you are unemployed and need unemployment benefits you must register as a job seeker at Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV). NAV can also help you to find a job and they offer some work related courses. Check out their website or visit your local NAV office.