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

KORO produces and finances art in public spaces across Norway and at Norwegian consulates and embassies abroad. KORO manages and disseminates a large collection of artworks throughout the country, characterized by the fact that the works are always accessible to the public. In addition, KORO serves as a national knowledge center within its field. KORO’s cultural policy mission is to ensure that as many people as possible encounter a diverse range of high-quality art in public buildings and other public places. KORO’s work also contributes to the development of contemporary art and provides artists with commissions and income. 

The Saami Council is a voluntary non-governmental organization representing Saami member organizations in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Established in 1956, it is one of the longest-standing indigenous peoples’ organizations. Its main purpose is to promote and protect the rights and interests of the Saami across the four countries where they live. The Council works to strengthen unity among the Saami, achieve recognition of the Saami as a nation, and ensure that their cultural, political, economic, and social rights are safeguarded in national legislation as well as in agreements between states and Saami representatives. Guided by the decisions and political programs of the Saami Conference, the Council also provides input and proposals on issues related to Saami livelihoods, language, culture, and cross-border concerns.

The Nordic House is a cultural center dedicated to Nordic art, culture, language, and public discourse. Operating under the Nordic Council of Ministers, it fosters cultural connections between Iceland and the Nordic and Baltic countries. The House offers a dynamic program focusing on art, literature, and societal issues, emphasizing sustainability, equality, and diversity. It provides a platform for artists and audiences of all ages, with a particular focus on children and youth, offering workshops, exhibitions, and educational resources. The Nordic House also plays a strategic role in Nordic cultural cooperation and aims to contribute to making the Nordic region the most sustainable and integrated in the world by 2030. 

The City of Oslo Art Collection acquires, produces, manages, and disseminates art in public spaces and buildings. The collection consists of art created through direct commissions to artists, open competitions, donations, or purchases. The City of Oslo Art Collection also produces time-limited and context-specific works in the city’s public spaces, related to Oslo’s urban development.  

Hanaholmen is a meeting place that brings together Nordic culture, art, and current discussions. Hanaholmen is located in Espoo, just outside Helsinki, where it hosts a Swedish-Finnish collaboration and cultural center, a hotel, and the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation – Hanaholmen’s administrative head is responsible for the overall operations. Hanaholmen offers a varied program, ranging from cultural events and art exhibitions to current seminars on crisis preparedness and other pressing societal issues. 

OsloMet is a university with its main campus in Oslo. It was granted university status in 2018 and was formerly known as Oslo and Akershus University College (HiOA). The university offers a wide range of professional education programs, with research focused on the professions included in the study offerings, as well as research on working life. The university’s main representative will be Cecilie Sachs Olsen, Professor in the Master's program in Art and Society. Art in Society offers a theoretical and applied perspective on the significance and role of art in today’s society. The program emphasizes how artistic practice can contribute to new perspectives and working methods across interests, institutions, and disciplines in response to societal challenges. 

EPI is a Greenlandic association founded in 2010. It serves as a collective for artists and creators in Greenland, advocating for improved conditions and increased visibility of the arts within the country. The association has been instrumental in securing annual funding from the Greenlandic government to support its initiatives. EPI represents the interests of artists and creators in Greenland, working to enhance their professional conditions and promote their work both nationally and internationally. The association fosters collaboration among various cultural and artistic organizations, facilitating networking opportunities and joint projects. EPI provides resources and support for the development of artistic projects, aiming to enrich the cultural landscape of Greenland.

The Roskilde Festival is a Danish music festival held annually south of Roskilde. It is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and the largest in the Nordic countries. Through its Art & Activism programme, the festival transforms the celebration itself into a space for reflection and protest. Artists, performers, and activists use installations, performances, and parties to question social norms, explore queer and inclusive cultures, and imagine alternative futures.

The Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Institute promotes cultural exchange between Finland and Norway. The aim is to strengthen co-operation, dialogue and mobility between professional art and cultural practitioners in both countries. The institute is a network-creator and bridge-builder between a wide range of cultural entities. Founded in 1997, the institute is based in Oslo, but has activities throughout Norway. 

Kungl. Konsthögskolan in Stockholm, founded in 1735, is a leading institution for art education and research. The school offers education in fine arts at various levels and fosters an experimental learning environment. Located on Skeppsholmen, it combines historical surroundings with modern workshops. Additionally, the school organizes exhibitions, seminars, and workshops for the public. Jonas Dahlberg, head of Of Public Interest (OPI) Lab, will be the main representative. Of Public Interest (OPI) Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory and research environment for professional practitioners in art, architecture, landscape architecture, curation, and related fields. Its goal is to develop experimental works and methods that bring artistic value to shared living environments. 

Pro Artibus promotes contemporary art and Finnish-Swedish culture through exhibitions, collections, and educational programs. The Foundation manages an extensive art collection, ensuring public access to high-quality artworks, and supports artists through commissions, residencies, and professional development. It also organizes exhibitions across Finland and the Nordic countries. In addition, Pro Artibus commissions and presents artworks in public spaces, bringing contemporary art into everyday environments.

NNAC is a network of art consultants and curators of public art from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The network was founded by Linda Wallenberg, Project Manager for Public Art at Västerås konstmuseum, and Åsa-Viktoria Wihlborg, Founder and CEO of ArtPlatform AB. The discussions held during the NNAC project also formed the basis for a report, which includes important snapshots of the state of art consultancy and public art curation in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. 

Safemuse is a non-profit organization dedicated to artistic freedom. Safemuse provides persecuted artists with a safe place to stay and develop their art. The founding idea of Safemuse is based on artistic freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, essential for democracy and democratic development. Safemuse’s focus areas include efforts to simplify residence permits, meaning political advocacy for a streamlined visa arrangement for artists and human rights defenders. Additionally, Safemuse aims to further involve Norwegian art institutions and organizations to strengthen collaboration and raise awareness nationally. 

KiN is a nationwide membership organization for Norway’s 15 regional art centers. Founded in 2010, the association works to strengthen and highlight the role of art centers as key players in Norway’s contemporary art landscape. KiN promotes collaboration, professional development, and the dissemination of contemporary art, and provides support through regional project grants for visual arts. Through its work, KiN helps ensure artistic freedom and makes art accessible to a wide public across the country. 

The Artists’ Association of Sweden (KRO) represents around 3,500 professional visual artists, craftspeople, and designers across Sweden. Founded in 1937, KRO works to protect and promote the professional, economic, and social interests of artists. The organization advocates for fair working conditions, stronger artistic rights, and improved cultural policies, while providing advice and support to its members. KRO also plays an active role in shaping Sweden’s cultural landscape and connects Swedish artists to international networks and collaborations.