The Norwegian Sculptors Society (Norsk Billedhoggerforening), Bodø2024 and Bodø Municipality seek five artists for KUNSTKANTEN: a new and unique outdoor exhibition arena in Bodø. In 2024 they will establish five art spots – platforms for art – that enter into dialogue with a city and a society undergoing change.
Bodø has for 70 years shared space with the military air base Bodø Main Air Station. The city has developed along the shoreline, with the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. Bodø is constantly on the move, and there will be big changes in the next decade. When the military air base closes, a new part of the city, and the Bodø of the future, will be developed. KUNSTKANTEN extends along historical and social lines: from prehistoric memories, through the city’s establishment, to reconstruction after the Second World War and recent times as ‘aeroplane city’ Bodø. KUNSTKANTEN gives artists an opportunity to engage in a dialogue about urban development, social development and identity.
KUNSTKANTEN is a unique investment in art in public space. Fresh funds have been made available in order for art to play a key role in the city’s history of change.
The project provides financial support for five new works that will be installed in September 2024. To participate in the competition, applicants send sketches and a project description explaining details for the realisation of their projects. Production funding is 350,000 NOK (~30,100 EUR) for each of the five selected works. There is also a payment of 50,000 NOK (~4300 EUR) per work for the exhibition period, which is two years. The organisers will also cover travel costs for a presentation of the sculpture locations to selected artists in October 2023, and for the opening event on 14 September 2024.
The artworks remain the property of the artists. KUNSTKANTEN is part of the programme for Bodø as a European Capital of Culture in 2024.
