Our Home & Facilities

About Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen, where Artica Svalbard is located, is a former coal mining community; a community facing increased tourism; and a community where the world’s northernmost tertiary education institution is producing cutting-edge knowledge about the Arctic and climate change. This society is a microcosm of global challenges with respect to both changing climates and industries. You can read more here.

Facilities

The Artica Workshop and studio is open to the public only during programmed events. See our What’s On section to find out more.

Residents are provided with accommodation, travel and a per diem plus access to the studio space and print workshop during their stay. We also facilitate introductions to the local community.

We have two printing presses donated by the Queen Sonja Print Award for the opening of Artica Svalbard in 2016. It is possible to work with: intaglio, etching and drypoint, woodcut, linocut and mono-prints. The Sjøstrøm press plate is 2 meters x 1 meter and the smaller press plate is 1.20 meters x 0.7 meters.

Longyearbyen has many cafes, restaurants and a supermarket in the main city centre. There is also a sports centre, swimming pool and gym. The culture house hosts concerts, talks, movie screenings and other cultural events. We highly recommend visits to the library, Svalbard Museum and Nordover arts centre.