FORCE – Freedom, Open-Dialogue, Resilience, Collaboration, and Empowerment 

FORCE (Freedom, Open-Dialogue, Resilience, Collaboration, and Empowerment) is a platform aimed at strengthening support for artists, with a focus on those working in public spaces. FORCE also emphasizes the role of art as a platform for democratic dialogue and artistic freedom of expression.

Mesén established FORCE in response to a growing need to reinforce the role of art in public discourse, particularly in the face of challenges such as increased conflict, budget cuts in the cultural sector, and new expectations regarding the role of art. Having worked with art in public spaces for over 25 years – through both art projects and professional events – we have observed that artists in the independent field are more exposed to various forms of sanctions and punitive measures than those expressing themselves within institutional contexts. FORCE therefore emerges from a desire to bring together stakeholders across national borders to identify common challenges, develop strategies, promote freedom of expression, and create sustainable meeting places where art can contribute to democracy, diversity, and social change.

Through a series of physical and digital gatherings and discussions, including three major conferences in Oslo, Helsinki, and Reykjavik, the network aims to create arenas for knowledge sharing, alliance building, and reflection across Nordic contexts. The conferences are programmed in accordance with current issues in the Nordic region and global trends.

Read about the conference in Oslo:
mesen.no/voices-in-public-art

Contact:

Tina Skedsmo (tina@mesen.no)

FORCE is supported by The Nordic Culture Fund, Oslo Municipality, The Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute and The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.

Goals and Expected Results 

Our goal is to ensure that art and culture are an integral part of preparedness in a transnational Nordic collaboration, where networks and mutual understanding, infrastructure, and shared working tools are discussed and developed collectively. FORCE therefore seeks to establish a meeting place, create well-functioning networks, exchange experiences, stimulate the creation of new public art venues, and develop targeted tools such as guidelines, roadmaps, and best practices. A joint report will be submitted to the Nordic Ministers of Culture in 2027.

Activities and Timeline

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Team Charter 

Mesén is the initiator and holds leadership responsibility, as well as responsibility for implementing the strategy, internal communication, task delegation, progress, and finances.

Mesén was established in 1999 by Kristine K. Wessel and Vibeke Christensen, with the goal of being a producing advisor for the arts and business sectors. At that time, as now, we recognized that a creative production role is crucial for managing the experimentation, production, and dissemination of art and culture in public spaces—outside the frameworks of institutions and established art arenas. Mesén currently has four employees and is based in Oslo, but works on projects throughout the country.

Kristine K. Wessel, Project Manager
Vibeke Christensen, Operations Manager
Tina Skedsmo, Content Manager
Mona Olsen, Design and Communication

Project Organisation

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Partners