Bodø Art Association enters three-year partnership with North Norwegian Art Centre to ensure the continued operation of one of Norway’s oldest exhibitions of its kind

Bodø Art Association has entered into a three-year collaboration agreement with the North Norwegian Art Centre (NNKS) to secure the continued running of one of the country’s oldest and most significant regional art exhibitions.

“Taking responsibility for Den Nordnorske Kunstutstilling — better known as Nordnorsken — is an undertaking we approach with great respect,” says Luba Kuzovnikova, Director of North Norwegian Art Centre. “The exhibition has deep roots in Northern Norway and holds great importance for artists in the region. We are therefore very pleased that this partnership is now in place.”

Chair of Bodø Art Association, Trond Ivan Blomsø, also welcomes the new collaboration with NNKS.

“This will be an exciting partnership, and it is gratifying that such a long-standing exhibition will continue,” he says.

Since its inception in 1946, Nordnorsken served as an important debut platform for regional artists, and has toured various venues across Northern Norway since 1948. The exhibition is open for applications and features an anonymised jury process, making it a popular arena where both established and emerging artists can exhibit side by side.

The agreement between the North Norwegian Art Centre and Bodø Art Association covers a three-year period.

“Bodø Art Association has faced several challenges recently, so it feels good that this collaboration ensures the continuation of the exhibition — for the benefit of both the public and the artists of the region,” says Blomsø. “Otherwise, a show so deeply rooted in Northern Norway might never have reached its 80th anniversary,” he continues.

“Hats off to Bodø Art Association for maintaining and safeguarding Nordnorsken for nearly 80 years,” adds Kuzovnikova. “We look forward to the exhibition opening in 2026. As in previous years, we invite all artists — both emerging and established — with ties to Northern Norway to apply. Applications open on 30 October and close on 30 November,” she concludes.

Image from Nordnorsken 2025: Gjert Rognli, “Lappland-Zoo”, 2024. Photo: Dan Mariner.