Nord University set to open Noatun building with new art installations in Bodø

Nord University’s newest building, Noatun, which has an estimated cost of around 650 million Norwegian kroner, is set to officially open in September. Recently, two large wooden dragon sculptures were installed outside the building, while nearly 20 framed drawings have been displayed indoors across three floors, costing approximately 3 million kroner.

When the government starts a new construction project, a certain amount must be allocated for art, as mandated by a royal resolution dating back to 1997. Silje Hjemdal, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, criticizes this requirement as overly bureaucratic and expensive. Hjemdal, who leads the family and culture committee, believes the artistic embellishment of public buildings unnecessarily inflates construction costs and advocates for the abolition of this rule.

Koro, the government’s agency for public art, received 25 million kroner for operational costs and 43 million for special expenses in 2024. Hjemdal argues that public funds spent on such organizations are excessive and suggests alternative methods for supporting artists without governmental oversight.

In contrast, Koro’s director, Sigurd Sverdrup Sandmo, defends the role of public art in fostering community well-being and innovation, asserting that the agency efficiently channels funds to artists. He emphasizes that Koro’s work enhances the identity and appeal of public buildings and promotes inclusivity in the arts.

While calls for budget cuts are prevalent, especially amid financial strains on universities, Hjemdal insists that priorities like health and education should take precedence over art funding in construction projects. Meanwhile, leaders in academia and labor organizations express concerns that reducing arts funding is a diversion from addressing more pressing financial issues in the education sector.