Author: sina@upnorthfilm.no

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. Safemuse is an NGO based in Norway that hosts safe residencies for artists, and promote artistic freedom of expression, artistic solidarity and collaboration.

The residencies

Safemuse offers safe residencies for artists that are being censored, are living under threat, or that for various reasons cannot work freely in their place of living. The residencies are usually for six months, and are run in collaboration with our local partners, and with financial support from local, regional and national institutions. We currently have two residencies in Norway: Oslo Art Haven and Hvitsten Art Haven.

Our residency programmes focus on artistic development and cooperation, and are open for artists within all artistic disciplines. The aim is to provide the artists with a possibility to get out of difficult situations, censorship or persecution, and to facilitate safe and professional environments in which the artists can concentrate on their creative processes, develop their artistry, collaborate with artists based in Norway or neighbouring regions, as well as build their own networks for professional exchange and support.

We will organise a team – consisting of a residency coordinator, a mentor, as well as advisors from Safemuse – that will coordinate and facilitate the residency and projects. Prior to arrival, we will create a plan for the content and goals for the residency together with the individual artist. We will prepare for collaborations with the selected artist and relevant institutions in Norway and explore the opportunities to present the artist’s work. The artist is not required to produce or mediate art during their stay, and the residency also offers the possibility of rest and recuperation. If the artist wishes to participate in our outreach programmes, which centres around art and society, this will be facilitated in close dialogue with the artist, but participation is not an obligation.

Safemuse will work closely with the artist when it comes to how much exposure the artist wants, and can have, during the stay, and do a risk assessment together with the artist.

Hvitsten Art Haven

Hvitsten Art Haven was established in 2022 together with the art festival- and institution Hvitsten Salong. Hvitsten is a small coastal town just 45 minutes outside Oslo and is idyllically located along the fjord. It is the home of several local artists, and the international artists who stay here are welcomed into a close-knit community. The programme facilitates all artistic genres on site or nearby. The residency is funded by the County Municipality and Arts and Culture Norway.

Hvitsten is a small community with approximately 300 inhabitants. The residency is situated beautifully and quite isolated by the sea, with 6 kilometers to the nearest store. In Hvitsten our artists live closer to a network and the coordinator of the programme. The residency will also host several small workshops and happenings during the year. The art festival Hvitsten Salong is also held on the property.

Oslo Art Haven

Oslo Art Haven was established in 2021 and has since hosted a handful of talented artists from various countries. The Norwegian capital has a thriving cultural scene and a broad artistic community working in all art disciplines and genres. The residency is funded by the Municipality of Oslo and is organised in collaboration with Nordic Black Theatre.

Safemuse has its office in the center of Oslo. The residence artists in Oslo live in apartments in the city centre or a short metro-ride away from the center. The artists based in Oslo live on their own, but our team is close by.

Practical information

The programme covers all costs connected to the artist’s travel and stay in Norway, including insurance, accommodation and living expenses. Safemuse provides assistance with the visa-application-process, but the artist is responsible for preparing all the required documentation.

NB: Be aware that the visa and permit application process to Norway may take up to eight months. The visa application should therefore be prepared and submitted as soon as possible after accepting the invitation to avoid delays. Due to the often-lengthy visa-prossessing time, the residency programme will most likely start towards the end of 2027 or in 2028. The programme does not open for an extension of stay.

The selection process will be carried out by a committee consisting of artists, representatives from art and cultural institutions, human rights advisors, and the Safemuse team.

The application process will be strictly confidential.

All applications must be submitted through our online application form (link below).

The application must include:

• Documentation of your work
• A thorough description of your situationregarding censorship, threats, or persecution as a consequence of your artistic practice 

Time schedule:

• Application deadline: Wednesday July 1^st 2026
• Selection of artists: October 2026
• Interviews: October/November 2026
• The final decision will be made by mid-December, all applicants will receive an answer by December 18^th
• Programme duration: Approx. 6 months, artists arrive between late 2027-2028 (due to the lengthy visa-process)

About Safemuse

Originating in artist-organisations: Safemuse was born as an initiative from several artist-organisations’ wish to protect artistic freedom of expression, and artists’ role in society, an international solidarity initiative working to support safe spaces where artists could create and develop, no matter which country they resided in. The answer became to create safe residencies for artists at risk, where they could develop their art.

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 art: Safemuse gives artists the centre stage. We work to give artists room to create, and we contribute to artistic development, building networks and publishing/presenting.

Artistic cooperation: Safemuse cooperates with organisations that work for artists, artistic freedom and human rights. To promote this, we create networks nationally and internationally. 

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 the artists in residencies can work and focus on their art.

Artistic freedom: Safemuse works to highlight the importance of artistic freedom of expression through political engagement and cooperation with organisations at home and abroad. We work to put artistic freedom of expression on the agenda, and to make this a focus within artistic- and cultural organisations.

About our partners

Nordic Black Theatre

Nordic Black Theatre is our partner in the Oslo Art Haven programme. Nordic Black Theatre is a self-run theatre foundation established in 1992. The core activity is theatre production, but they also work with a wide range of partners in Norway and abroad. From humble and challenging beginnings Nordic Black Theatre has grown into a well-respected theatre institution that receives funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Oslo City Council. They also run the theatre school Nordic Black Xpress (NBX) through which they work with developing young transcultural actors.

Hvitsten Salong

Hvitsten Salong is our partner in the Hvitsten Art Haven programme. Hvitsten Salong is an artist-driven project that seeks a site specific- and historical approach. Hvitsten has been a place where several of Norway’s most important artists have lived and worked at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Painters and illustrators as Edvard Munch, Theodor Kittelsen, Christian Krogh, Oda Krogh, Oscar Wergeland and Hans Jæger lived and, or worked here throughout their careers. Hvitsten Salong organizes an annual art festival, in addition to several smaller events and creating a platform for professional dialogue with contemporary artists. Their vision is to give artists an opportunity to put themselves in the periphery of Norwegian art history and to compliment the national and international art scene with an exciting, progressive and innovative environment in Hvitsten.