The official opening of Artica Svalbard and its Artist-in-Residence Programme will be officiated by HM Queen Sonja of Norway together with the Minister of Culture Linda Hofstad Helleland and Longyearbyen Community Council Leader Arild Olsen, in Longyearbyen kulturhus. This will be followed by statements from the founders of Artica Svalbard and its collaborating partners as well as young people of Longyearbyen, represented by Malin Nilssen Alexandersen. The artists and writers selected for Artica Svalbard’s Artist-in-Residence Programme will also be announced.
Music by Mette Henriette, an artist nominated by OCA, Office for Contemporary Art for Artica’s Artist-in-Residency.
The launch also marks the start of collaboration with OCA, Office of Contemporary Art Norway, Norwegian PEN and Queen Sonja Print Award, who will select artists and writers from their networks to undertake residencies in Svalbard over a period of 3 - 9 months each, this year and in the years to come. With our partners, North Norway Art Museum and Kunsthall Svalbard we will shape public projects and programmes in Longyearbyen and beyond.
The event is free and open to all.
Light refreshments will be served.