III:
fundings
There are several ways to manage your professional life and economy as an artist in Norway. Many artists – to survive financially – must create a mixed economy of a non-artistic job, their artistic practice, funding, job assignments, commissions and sales.
This section provides information on how to write a grant/funding application and a list of places where you may apply for support and grants – infrequently organizational membership is required.
Most applications can be completed in English; if in doubt contact the institution/organization.
WoRK GRANTS
There are different grant shemes for artists in Norway. On a national level several working grants are provided by theArts and Culture Norway (former Art Council Norway). In addition, different union based grant are provided to artists like Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond and Norwegian Asssociation of Crafts (NK) with deadline corresponding with Art and Culture Norway grants. You can apply for several working grants at the same time, but as a general rule you can only be granted with one of these major working grant at the time.
Locally you’ll find scholarships that require the artist to live and work in the area where the grant is offered (such as the Oslo Municipality's artist grant), and others that only require the artist to stay in the area during the grant period (such as Skien Municipality’s artist grant). You can recieve these are grants in addition to the larger working grants as mentioned above. As a general rule read all the grant outline, you you make sure you are aware about the conditions for reciving the grants.
Before you start to write the grant application, make sure you read the guidelines. When applying for a grant write about what you plan to work with in the coming year(s), what you want to explore, specific project plans, exhibitions that you are working with and how you plan to develop professionally. There’s not one way to write an application. It’s advisable to have someone, whose opinion you value, read and critique your application; they may see where the application is weak, contains errors, needs clarification or additional information. This will help to ensure the text is communicating exactly the points you want to make. Importantly, you must write, read and revise your application – take time to work through multiple drafts to ensure you make a strong case for funding.
Be short and concise because the receiver of your application is probably not familiar with your work, and they usually have many applications to read through.
PROJECT FUNDING
Before you begin writing your application it is very important to read the guidelines. Make sure you understand the requirements of the funding organization. The application must be to the point, easy to understand and contain all relevant information about your project.
An application usually must contain a project description, budget, timeline, CV, and documentation of your work.
If you need to find funding for a large project consider contacting a possible funding source and request a consultation; personal meetings are usually helpful. They may provide valuable input for your application as to whether or not your project is a good fit, and elaborate on funding requirements.
Some applications are only available on a digital portal where you fill in an online formula. Others request that you submit the application through email. A general tip is to copy in the form to a document to write your application. When you can everything ready start to copy, paste into the form. Most portals saves your application, but most artists has at some point to loose what one has written into the online form.
Keep in mind that you may apply for funding under means other than just art and culture. For example, if your project includes a workshop for neighborhood children there might be funds related to local community measures, or funds for green development if your project includes gardening.
how to apply
First of all wether you apply for grants or funding, read the guidelines. Get an overview of what they ask for and think through the core of your project or you artist career. Sometimes mapping or drawing out the project you apply for or your artistic plans for the next 5 years are can be useful as a start to write the application. And if you can, use time and make a plan for preparing everything you need to the applicaiton, from text to documentation.
If you need to find funding for a larger project, you might make contact with possible funding sources and ask for a consultation; personal meetings is usually helpful. They might give you valuable input for your application, and elaborate on which requirements their funding has, and whether your project fits or not.
Some applications are available only on a digital portal, where you fill in an online formula. Other places request that you send the application by e-mail.
Here some tips about what the application could include, some of the parts more relevant for working grant and others to project funding.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
While there is not one-way to write a good project description the Arts and Culture Norway offers some general advice on what to include: the content of the project (what you plan to do), the project’s purpose and background (why you plan do this, what you want to explore), in what larger context the project stands, and implementation (how you plan to do it, and what do you need in order to get it done - in terms of artistic, professional, technical, practical and financial resources).
In addition, remember to communicate the central idea of your project early in the text. Determine how your project is relevant to the plan you are applying for and highlight the things that fit the objectives of the support plan. Consequently, you may have to write a slightly different project description/application to the Arts Council, a municipality or to a private sponsor, since they often have different motivations for funding projects. Remember to never write more than is necessary. Again, be concise.
BUDGET
When you set up a budget it is important to be realistic: don’t be creative with the numbers. Find out the real costs of your planned expenses and remember to budget an artist’s fee (income). Make sure that the income and expenses add up. The budget needs to reflect the project description, check with the project description that you have included the expenses that are related to the specific project and exclude what is not related to the project. When it comes to income most funding bodies don't fully finance a project – usually up to 50% – so make sure your income comes from different sources, such as the Art and Culture Norway, municipality, funds, sponsors, and so on. A tip is to look at the sum given in previous allocations, usually the lists are public (in Norwegian “vedtaksliste” eller “disse har fått tilskudd”) to find out what realistic sums to apply from the local municipality, for instance. HERE is an example on how to budget.
TIMELINE
The timeline helps the receiver of the application to understand how you plan to execute your project; when you will do what. It’s important to keep your timeline rooted in reality – the more realistic you are the more reliable you seem (and the greater the chance for a positive outcome to your application). HERE’s an example.
CV
Your CV must be clearly organized and should only include information related to your artistic career. Additionally, be mindful that less is better; you are not trying to tell your life’s history. CV. In general the CV should not be more than two pages and maximum three pages. Remember that you can use (a selection) behind exhibitions, etc.One of the best ways to start writing your CV is to read through another artist’s well-written CV. You’ll find several different CVs of artists in Oslo here: https://osloopen.no/en/kunstnere
And a template HERE.
Your CV could include:
Personal details: Your name. You may also add year of birth, contact information (address, e-mail, phone) and a link to your website (if you have an updated one).
Education: Generally speaking this section of a CV relates to institutional education. If you do have post-secondary education include the school(s), the year(s) that you graduated and the degree(s).
Exhibitions: Begin with your most recent one and list your exhibitions: year, title of show, institution, city/country.
If you have had a large number of exhibitions you may split them into two (or more) categories: solo exhibitions and group exhibitions.
Collections: If your work has been bought or given to a collection you may list it here. This could be museums, corporate collections, or even municipalities or agencies.
If your work is in private collections you may list it as follows: works held in private collections in Norway, Jordan, Germany and Syria.
Work experience: If you have work experience from the art field such as producer, museum guide or teacher it may be relevant to list it.
Curatorial projects: If you have done curatorial projects you may list them simply as the exhibition itself or add a brief explanation.
Grants: Some artists choose to list awards and/or grants they have received.
Residencies: Artist residencies you have attended are good to include on your CV; they show a dedication to your practice and professional development.
Memberships: If you are a member of an artist association (NBK, UKS, or other) you may list it here.
DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR WORK
Often you are required to attach a few examples of your work documented by a photograph, a video, sound or text. It’s important that the images/soundbites are of a high quality and are easy to understand. This means that if it is important to understand the context or the size of an object, this can be read in the image. Sometimes you can include several images of each work in a PDF. It could mean that you want to send a file with an image that gives an overview together with some details of a work.
You can refer in the application text to some of the documentation you attach, if this is relevant. This can make the application more concrete if you for instance refer to similar or relevant works to show a coherence of your work and capability to do these kinds of works. So think carefully through which works you choose to include in your documentation that can support the specific application.
It is good to have support in choosing documentation. Thus ask someone you trust to go through your material with you: what images/soundbites are relevant for the application? Which ones represent your work in the best way possible? Be selective. If you feel that the material you already have doesn’t hit the bar, arrange for new/different documentation, if possible.
ARTIST STATEMENT
This is a general introduction to your work, a body of work, or a specific project. Start with your work’s core ideas/topics; write two or three sentences about it or a short paragraph. In the second paragraph describe how these topics or ideas are presented in the work. Write in the first person (“I am …”) and relate it to specific projects/works. Describe your artistic interests and methods and your motivation to work as an artist, it says something about why you are working with what you do.
For more guidelines on how to write a good artist statement, check out: https://www.gyst-ink.com/artist-statement-guidelines/
BIO
Keep your bio short: one paragraph written in the third person (“She/he is ...”) is usually enough. Provide some information about your background including education, where you are based, what you work with as an artist (material/technique/format), and what you are currently working on/doing. The bio is different from an artist statement, a bio is more about facts, what you do and your background, not why you do what you do.
If you need more guidance on how to write a bio then research and review how other artists have written theirs. You can check out how other artists in Oslo write their bios: https://osloopen.no/en/kunstnere
2. where to apply
Grants and other forms of funding are largely available from governmental institutions, however, other funding bodies also exist - nationally, regionally and locally.
Legathåndboken http://legathandboken.no Grants and other forms of funding are largely available from governmental institutions, however, other funding bodies also exist - nationally, regionally and locally.
Become a member of the Facebook group Søknadsfrister for kunstnere (Application Deadlines for Artists) https://www.facebook.com/groups/858742554169756/ – you’ll find announcements for grants and funding on their page.
Take a look at the overview for grants and funding on the websites of professional art organizations, such as:https://visp.no/ressurser/soknadsfrister/, https://www.norskebilledkunstnere.no/soknadsfrister/ and http://norskekunsthandverkere.no/kunsthandverkere/utlysninger
Also check for announcements in art magazines.
Below you’ll find a list of (a few of) the places where you can apply for grant and project funding.
Work Grants:
FOR ALL ARTISTS
Arts and Culture Norway https://kulturradet.no offers several working grants. Application deadline for working grants once a year (October):
Statens kunstnerstipend http://kulturradet.no/statens-kunstnerstipend
Work grant: granted for one to five years. Allows artists to work on a project or a specialization that contributes to the further development of their artwork. With this grant you are allowed to work up to 50 %.
Work grant for younger/newly established artists (usually for up until 35 years): granted for one to three years. Enables younger/newly established artists to develop artistically and improve their chances of being able to live from their artistic work. With this grant you are allowed to work up to 50 %.
Miscellaneous grant (Diversistipend): a contribution to the artistic activities of single applicants (not groups). Supports (among other things) courses, travels, studies, specializations, materials, equipment, marketing and consultancy.
Miscellaneous grant for graduates/recently educated artists (Diversistipend): a grant scheme for graduates who have completed art education at BA or MFA level and aim to establish themselves in the profession. Artists with the highest degree in their field of study will be given priority.
They also offer grants for senior artists and grants for well established artists.
Working grant from Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond https://www.norskebilledkunstnere.no/stotteordninger/
The application deadline is once a year (October). All visual artists who’s based in Norway can apply for a grant, regardless of age, gender, place of residence, artistic expression or membership in an organization.
Working grant from Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond http://www.kunstfond.no/kunstfaglige-stipend
You apply through The Norwegian Association for Visual Artists (NBK) https://www.norskebilledkunstnere.no or The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (NK) https://norskekunsthandverkere.no.
GRANTS BY DISCIPLINE
Norwegian Photographic Fund (Nofofo) http://www.nofofo.no/en/ is a fund for allocating collective assets to artists who live and work in Norway, using photography and other camera-based forms of expression.
The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts http://norskekunsthandverkere.no/stotteordninger for artists based in Norway, working within the crafts-field – mainly fiber, ceramic, metal, wood, glass.
Norwegian graphic artists https://www.norske-grafikere.no/soknader/soknad-om-stipend-norske-grafikeres-fond/ grants for artists working with graphics.
Norwegian artisans http://norskekunsthandverkere.no/stotteordninger grants for artists based in Norway, who work with handicrafts – mainly textiles, ceramics, metal, wood, glass.
Fund for performing artists (FUK) http://www.ffuk.no/vaare-stoetteordninger.392661.no.html provides funding to professional performing artists, musicians, singers, actors, dancers, stage instructors, conductors and others who live and mostly work in Norway. The application must be submitted in Norwegian.
Norwegian Dancers http://norskedansekunstnere.no/?page_id=36 grants for four scholars, one dancer, one choreographer, one teacher, and one project grant for dance film/video production.
Finn Tveitos Foundation's grant for the education of male Norwegian dancers http://norskedansekunstnere.no/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Finn-Tveitos-Stiftelses-stipend.pdf an annually grant, applicant should preferably be a Norwegian citizen.
Reader searching book https://lesersokerbok.no/stotteordninger/ Different grants for authors and illustrators.
Forsberg and Aulie's endowment http://www.forsbergaulieslegat.no/wp/ a grant for artists who work with painting and drawing, the applicant should be younger than 40 years.
GRANTS BY GEOGRAPHY
Grants you can apply, even if you live elsewhere:
Skien artist grant http://www.skien.kommune.no/kunstnerbyen offers accommodation in Skien, a workshop/studio, and a grant of NOK 155 000. Of these, NOK 125 000 is awarded the fellow, while NOK 30 000 is project funds. The stay in Skien must last for a minimum of ten and a maximum of twelve months.
Jomfruland grant https://www.telemark.no/Vaare-tjenester/Kultur/Stipender-og-priser/Jomfrulandsstipendet offers a residency at Jomfruland in September/October, with free accomodation. The grantee is obliged to exhibit at Kragerø Kunstforening the following year.
Eidfjord artist grant https://www.eidfjord.kommune.no/tenester/kultur-idrett-og-fritid/kultur/kulturtilskot/ for artists and artisans. Recipients must have a residency in the municipality during the grant year and is invited to exhibit their work at Galleri N. Bergslien. Housing and studio will be made available for the recipients.
GRANTS RELATED TO WHERE YOU LIVE
Oslo municipality https://www.oslo.kommune.no/politikk-og-administrasjon/tilskudd-legater-og-stipend/#!c|f_topic_art_and_culture artist grants for both establishing and established artists living in Oslo.
Bergen municipality https://www.bergen.kommune.no/innbyggerhjelpen/kultur-idrett-og-fritid/tilskuddsordninger/kulturmidler/tilskudd-til-profesjonell-kunst-og-kultur artist grants for both establishing and established artists living in Bergen.
Kristiansand municipality https://www.kristiansand.kommune.no artist grant for artists living in Kristiansand.
Trondheim artist grant https://www.trondheim.kommune.no/tema/kultur-og-fritid/tilskudd-priser-og-stipend/tilskudd/ grant scheme for professional artists based in Trondheim.
Tromsø Cultural Grant https://www.tromso.kommune.no for professional artists based in Tromsø.
Stavanger Municipality Cultural Grants https://www.stavanger.kommune.no for professional artists based in Stavanger.
Troms and Finnmark county grant https://www.tffk.no/tjenester/stotte-stipend-og-priser/okonomisk-stotte-og-stipend/kultur/ working grants for artists living in Troms and Finnmark.
Project fundings:
NATIONAL
Arts and Culture Norway https://www.kulturradet.no/stotteordninger has a number of different funding schemes for art and culture.
Free Word Foundation (Fritt Ord) http://www.frittord.no/soknader manages funds for projects in the areas of Media and Democracy, Information and Public Debate, Grants and Teaching, and Arts and Culture.
Sparebankstiftelsen https://www.sparebankstiftelsen.no/no offers national and regional funding schemes, including for arts and culture.
Regional project funding for visual arts http://www.kunstsentrene.no/regionale-prosjektmidler-for-visuell-kunst/ this scheme offers professional artists working in the visual arts field support for exhibitions and projects.
KORO/ LOK https://koro.no/kunstnere-og-kuratorer/ LOK is a production scheme for art projects in public space. KORO (Public Art Norway wants to stimulate the development, production and dissemination of art in public spaces in local contexts across the country. The LOK scheme can be applied by the artists, curators, regional and local authorities, institutions and organizations.
INTERNATIONAL
UDs reisestipend https://www.stikk.no/reisestotte/ – travel grant for artists.
Office for Contemporary Arts Norway (OCA) http://www.oca.no/grants/ – travel grant for visual artist and residency applications.
Nordisk Kulturfond http://www.nordiskkulturfond.org/ – Nordic support schemes for projects involving two or more Nordic countries.
Kulturkontakt Nord https://www.nordiskkulturkontakt.org/en/ – Nordic support schemes, grants and residences in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Creative Europe – EUs Cultural program https://www.kulturradet.no/eus-kulturprogram/vis-artikkel/-/asset_publisher/XEa1/content/fakta-om-kreativt-europa funding for European collaborations and network projects.
PROJECT FUNDING BY DISCIPLINE:
Billedkunstnernes Vederlagsfond https://www.norskebilledkunstnere.no/stotteordninger/ to enhance the ability of visual artists to carry out time-limited, defined projects in the visual arts field.
Norwegian artisans http://norskekunsthandverkere.no/stotteordninger offers funding for seminars, conferences, workshops, artistic publications, public events and other promotion of Norwegian crafts. Theory Grant. Travel funding.
Grafill https://www.grafill.no annually distributes grants to professional visual communication practitioners; illustration, graphic design, digital design, comic drawing, animation and service design.
Norsk Illustrasjonsfond https://www.norskillustrasjonsfond.no for illustrators of books.
Norwegian Photographic Fund (Nofofo) www.nofofo.no is a fund for allocating collective assets to artists who live and work in Norway, using photography and other camera-based forms of expression.
Norwegian Actors' Association for Freelancers http://www.skuespillerforbund.no/veiledning/stipender/nsfs-fond-for-frilansere funding for productions by and with freelance who are members of the Norwegian Actors Association.
Spenn http://www.spenn.no funding for productions taking part in Den Kulturelle Skolesekken (DKS). You can apply for production equipment for performing arts for children and adolescents.
List over funding for musicians from Samspill http://samspillmusic.no/musician/application-deadlines/
PROJECT FUNDING BY GEOGRAPHY:
Oslo Arts Council https://www.oslo.kommune.no/politikk-og-administrasjon/tilskudd-legater-og-stipend/ offers various funding schemes for professional art and culture in Oslo.
Bergen municipality https://www.bergen.kommune.no/innbyggerhjelpen/kultur-idrett-og-fritid/tilskuddsordninger/kulturmidler/tilskudd-til-profesjonell-kunst-og-kultur offers various funding schemes for professional art and culture in Bergen.
Telemark og Vestfold county https://www.vtfk.no/meny/tjenester/kultur/
Trondheim municipality https://www.trondheim.kommune.no/tema/kultur-og-fritid/tilskudd-priser-og-stipend/tilskudd/ offers various funding schemes for professional art and culture in Trondheim.
Stavanger municipality https://www.stavanger.kommune.no/kultur-og-fritid/kultur/kulturtilskudd/ Various funding schemes for professional art and culture in Stavanger.
Kristiansand municipality https://www.kristiansand.kommune.no/navigasjon/kultur-og-fritid/tilskudd-stipend-priser/ Various funding schemes for professional art and culture in Kristiansand.
BarentsKult in Northern Norway is a funding scheme supporting professional artists cooperating with professionals in North West Russia: https://barents.no/nb/barentskult