Precious Acquisitions

For the last two years, the Norwegian Ministry of Culture has provided Norwegian art museums with substantial funding to purchase contemporary art by living artists. This is first and foremost to support artists financially through the COVID pandemic, but also to extend the museums’ collections.

The collection is considered the anchor of any museum’s activity. It is professionally managed on behalf of society, and represents what our times wish to preserve for the future. As a relatively new art museum, our collection has been limited, but since 2020 the museum has had a unique possibility to extend our collection of contemporary art. In the years 2020–22 the Ministry of Culture has given the museum a generous NOK 5 million for this purpose. In addition, the museum receives annual funding for accessions from the county municipality, Møre og Romsdal. We have also reserved own means for this purpose.

The Acquisitions that have been made are based on criteria from the museum’s collection plan, seeking to fill the holes in the collection. In our selection of pieces, we have worked along two parallel lines. We have wanted to access works by artists with a strong connection to our region, from different traditions and generations, and that broaden the collection. We have also chosen to access pieces by more established artists with an international activity.

Artists: Bent Erik Myrvoll, Elida Brenna Linge og Mari Kvien Brunvoll, Erling Valtyrson, Gjertrud Hals, Heidi Bjørgan, Helle Siljeholm, Ida Madsen Følling, Joar Nango, Jon Arne Mogstad, Karin Augusta Nogva, Kathrine Lindman, Kenneth Alme, Kjell Gunnar Overøye, Lissette Escobar, Magnhild Opdøl, Marianne Heske, Reinhold Ziegler, Ruben Eikebø, Sidsel Colbjørnsen, Siri Skjerve, Siv Bugge Vatne, Susanne Fagermo, Vibeke Slyngstad