Kunstnernes Hus Kino, part of the artist-owned foundation Kunstnernes Hus, opened in 2016. The program is curated with a cross-disciplinary and genre-critical approach, always placing the artist at the centre, and consists of a wide spectrum of contemporary independent and artist films, talks, lectures and curatorial collaborations. We emphasise artistic boldness and genre-bending formats as well community-building across disciplines and generations. In 2018, the Film Club LEO for youths aged 13-18 was founded, sharing the same ambitions, while being programmed by its own members. The streaming service Kunstnernes Hus Home Cinema was launched during the pandemic, and will become a permanent extension to the on-site program, focusing on increasing the availability of contemporary Norwegian artist films. We take an active part in finding solutions to the need for better systems of distribution, in the cinema as well the digital arena.
“So many artists now do things that look like film. They look best in a place like this, as opposed to being projected in a gallery. I’m very happy to see this place.”
Laurie Anderson on Kunstnernes Hus Kino, November 2016. The regular programme is curated by Silja Espolin Johnson in cooperation with a programme council consisting of Ulrik Eriksen (film critic at Morgenbladet and initiator of the cinema at Kunstnernes Hus), Maria Moseng (film critic, research fellow in film studies at the University of Oslo, former editor at WUXIA), Sara Eliassen (filmmaker and visual artist) and Karsten Meinich (film editor and editor at Montages). The new cinema room has been designed by Atelier Oslo and was built with financial support from the Savings Bank Foundation DNB, the Arts Council Norway, the municipality of Oslo, and a grant from the Norwegian government’s scheme for matching private donations. The film programme is supported financially by the Fritt Ord foundation, the Norwegian Film Institute, and the Bergesenstiftelsen foundation.
