ABOUT US
What we do
Safemuse – Safe Havens for Artists is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the fight for artistic freedom. We provide persecuted artists and artists at risk a safe place to stay and develop their art. Artistic freedom of expression is a basic human right, fundamental to democracy and democratic development. The founding idea of Safemuse is based on these universal principles of human rights and the promotion of artistic freedom.
In an increasingly polarised world, with tension between nations, cultures, political parties and cultural norms, a growing number of artists are encountering obstacles in the execution of their work. Artists are in many cases regarded as activists, even when they themselves do not identify with, or promote a political view or a political movement. This is especially true for female artists, artists that are queer, come from minority or indigenous groups, or artists that work in genres not deemed acceptable by society or by their government.
Through projects, events, publications, political lobbying, network-activities and collaborations, in Norway and internationally, Safemuse works to promote and protect the artistic freedom of expression of artists working across all genres.
The founding idea of Safemuse is based on the
universal principles of human rights, and the
promotion of artistic freedom.
The founding idea of Safemuse is based on the universal principles of human rights, and the promotion of artistic freedom.
The five pillars of Safemuse’s work:
• Artistic freedom: Safemuse works to highlight and promote the importance of artistic freedom of expression through political engagement and cooperations with organisations at home and abroad. We work to place artistic freedom of expression on the agenda and to make this a focus within art and culture organisations.
• Safe spaces: Safemuse creates safe spaces. We promote a diversity of voices and work to ensure that artists from minority groups are seen and heard.
• Focus on the artist and the arts: Safemuse places the artist centre-stage. We work to give artists room to create, and we contribute to artistic development, building networks and publishing/presenting.
• Artistic development: Safemuse supports artistic development. Through a large network and knowledge of how to work as an artist, we organise and coordinate so that artists in residence can work and focus on their art.
• Artistic cooperation: Safemuse cooperates with organisations that work for artists, artistic freedom and human rights. To promote this, we work to create and contribute to networks nationally and internationally.
Jan Lothe Eriksen / Photo: Even Finsrud
In a nutshell: The history behind Safemuse
Safemuse is an international solidarity initiative that was founded by musician Jan Lothe Eriksen. Eriksen became alarmed by the global trends and findings published by Freemuse, an organisation that since 1998 has documented violations of artistic freedom worldwide. In 2010, Eriksen asked the Union for Arts and Culture in Norway (now Creo) to support the establishment of Safemuse in order to give censored, threatened and persecuted artists an opportunity to re-charge and re-activate creative processes in safe surroundings.
With funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, the Norwegian Conferderation of Trade Unions, Norwegian Society of Composers and Lyricists (NOPA) and Creo, the groundwork begun. In 2013, Safemuse was formally established an independent membership organisation. From 2013 Safemuse established an artistic residence program and in 2014, the organisation welcomed its very first artists in residence. In 2016 Safemuse revised the statutes and has since then broadened its scope to work with artists from all artistic genres. In 2018 we started the record label LIDIO, a sub-label of Norway’s largest independent record company, Grappa Musikkforlag.
Today, Safemuse has five employees and is doing advocate work to promote artistic freedom of expression through various projects. The organisation is running two permanent residence programs, Oslo Art Haven and Hvitsten Art Haven, where we organise temporary residencies for threatened, censored and persecuted artists who need a safe space to develop their art. These residencies are run in collaboration with Nordic Black Theatre and Hvitsten Salong.
Who We Are
The Board
Hans Ole Rian
Chair (President, Creo – the union for arts and culture)
Nosizwe Lise Baqwa
Deputy (Artist)
Halvard Bakklund
Deputy (Head of Dep. for Culture, City of Harstad)
Lars Christian Fjeldstad
Deputy (Lawyer, LO Norway)
Ingeborg Moa
Deputy (Executive Director, the Norwegian Human Rights Fund)
Terese Mungai-Foyn
Deputy (Actor at the Nordic Black Theatre, Oslo)
Per Jørgen Ystehede
1. Alternate ( Adviser – Dep. of Criminology & Sociology of Law, University of Oslo)
Karoline Kaarbø Asskildt
2. Alternate (Student)
Sara Christophersen
2. Alternate (PhD fellow)
The Administration
Our members
Safemuse is an independent membership organisation. Safemuse receives its core funding from Norwegian authorities and apply for project funding from various sources. To be able to continue our work promoting artistic freedom and providing safe residencies for artists under threat, we continuously need support. We welcome new members that can help strengthen our fight for artistic freedom and contribute with network, resources and knowledge.
If your organisation is interested in becoming a member in Safemuse or supporting our work, please send us an e-mail at post@safemuse.org
Our members include:
Funding
Safemuse is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Creo. Oslo Art Haven is funded by the City of Oslo, Hvitsten Art Haven by EEA (EØS), Akershus County Council. We continuously seek additional funding for projects and activities. In addition we also receive grants and funding for a variation of projects.
Media resources
Safemuse logo
Press photos
Contact us
E-mail: post@safemuse.org
Office address: Oscars gate 27, 0352 Oslo, NORWAY
Postal address: Oscars gate 27, 0352 Oslo, NORWAY
Social media: Facebook | Instagram