Robert Johansen appointed deputy board member for the Artica Svalbard Foundation

Robert Johansen, Svalbard Bryggeri Photo by Knut_Åserud. Group photo of the Artica board and staff outside Artica Svalbard Photo by Tom Warner

The Ministry of Culture and Equality and the Fritt Ord Foundation have appointed a new deputy board member for the Artica Svalbard Foundation, Robert Johansen, founder and owner of Svalbard Bryggeri.

Robert Johansen has a long history in Svalbard. First a miner from 1982-1994, then a pilot in Lufttransport for 22 years, and now as a founder and owner of Svalbard Bryggeri, Svalbard Bivrost Distilleri and Svalbard Gartneri. Recently, he has established Svalbard Brewery Import & Export GmbH in Hamburg, Germany. Robert lives in a cabin in Bjørndalen, Svalbard and in Tromsø.

“We are so pleased to welcome Robert to the board this year, his experience, knowledge and passion for Longyearbyen’s history and community is vital for Artica as we work to develop the future of the foundation.” 

Charlotte Hetherington, director Artica Svalbard 

The board now consists of:

Anne Berit Figenschau - Chair of the Board, Director of Tax North

Jan Martin Berg - Independent art consultant

Moa Björnson - CEO for Træna 365 and placemaker in Molobyen, Bodø

Susanne Kaluza - CEO of the House of Literature Foundation in Oslo

Ina Otzko - Visual artist and independent curator

Robert Johansen - Deputy member, founder and owner of Svalbard Bryggeri