Administration – Safemuse

Meet our newest staff members

Kate — Tue, 27 May 2025 12:18:11 +0000

Meet our new staff members

May 27, 2025

Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen and Aliona Pazdniakova

Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen and Aliona Pazdniakova are Safemuse’s newest staff members. Hilde Louise and Aliona started working in May and will take part in Safemuse’s projects and activities until spring 2026.

Aliona Pazdniakova has a multidisciplinary background within visual art, photography, and philosophy. Process-oriented and versatile in its character, her practice resembles visual research, where she connects artistic and philosophical languages. In her works, she tries to dissect the cultural construct of collective identity, focusing on unveiling the modern versions of ideological formations, as well as the mechanisms behind contemporary mythologies. Aliona holds an MA in Traditional Arts and a BA in Philosophy and Social Sciences from universities in Norway and Belarus. She worked as a photographer, participated in exhibitions both locally and abroad, contributed philosophical texts to several anthologies, and was a guest teacher at the art academy and different cultural institutions.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

As an artist, I am convinced that artistic freedom is an immanent feature of art as a phenomenon. It is unlimited and boundaryless. In the artistic process, ideas and feelings are supposed to be unrestrained. No matter they are perceived as beautiful or ugly, no one can control them, not even the artist. Another definition appears when we deal with exposure and presentation. In this case, we talk not about art, but about power, political or social. As a citizen, I see artistic freedom as a part of freedom of expression, which is one of the fundamental democratic values.

My experience of living and working in both Belarus and Norway, shows that artistic freedom of expression is under threat not only in totalitarian regimes, but also in democratic countries. Propaganda, censorship, and self-censorship, in direct or camouflaged forms, are used by different ideologies as power mechanisms to suppress the freedom of expression. That is why it is significant to resist the patterns of power misuse and strengthen strategies for protecting basic human rights. Art is an essential engine in this process, which suggests alternative perspectives in reflecting on political and existential problems. I am thrilled to have an opportunity to contribute to the meaningful task of Safemuse to support artists in danger, and with this to promote artistic freedom of expression, solidarity, and integrity.

Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen is a singer, songwriter, actress, and author with two decades of experience in producing, touring, administrating, and promoting art. After studying Theatre Science at the University of Oslo, she started her own record label, and till now she has released 13 albums of her own, in addition to the work of other artists. Her latest project «Stardust» is a tribute to 8 female artists from the last century, celebrating their struggle and success through gender, class, and racial discrimination.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

I believe that artistic freedom is fundamental for all human beings. Art brings and confirms the meaning of life, and it helps us understand our heritage and history in this world. Being able to create without restrictions, and communicate and educate each other through art is a human right, and it is growing more vulnerable day by day. I was lucky to be born in Norway, being able to work freely for all these years, and in these times, I am grateful to be able to contribute to protecting, promoting, and nurturing artistic freedom through Safemuse.

© Safemuse Organisation - Oslo/Norway

Safemuse søker programmedarbeider

Akari — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:48:43 +0000

Safemuse søker programmedarbeider

February 28, 2025

Photo Description - Photo credit: Photographer name

Meningsfylt arbeid med spennende og varierte oppgaver i et internasjonalt miljø

Da vår kollega skal ut i permisjon søker vi en fleksibel, engasjert, selvgående medarbeider med gode samarbeidsevner i 100% stilling til et ettårig engasjement, med mulighet for forlengelse fra mai/juni 2025.

I våre faste residenser tar vi imot truede, forfulgte og sensurerte kunstnere og følger dem opp både faglig og personlig. Vi skal bidra til at kunstnerne i residensopphold får forutsigbare og gode arbeidsforhold, og får utviklet og presentert sin kunst. I tillegg har vi flere prosjekter knyttet til kunstnerisk ytringsfrihet. Programmedarbeideren skal bidra i våre ulike prosjekter og til utviklingen av residensprogrammet med visninger, samtaler, workshops, konserter og forestillinger for barn og unge og det generelle publikum. Enkelte kommunikasjons- og administrasjonsoppgaver vil også inngå i stillingen. Man må påberegne ansvar også for andre oppgaver etter behov.

Vi ønsker oss en kollega som kan utgjøre et positivt tilskudd til innsatsen vår for den kunstneriske ytringsfriheten. Vi er en liten administrasjon med et aktivt styre der det er stor plass for kreativitet og nye løsninger. Vår aktivitet omfatter trygge residenser for kunstnere, enkeltarrangementer, kunstneriske visninger, innspillinger og dokumentasjon, politisk påvirkningsarbeid, samt annet som kan bidra til å styrke den kunstneriske ytringsfriheten for enkeltkunstnere og i samfunnet for øvrig. Å sørge for finansiering til dette er en vesentlig del av vårt arbeid.

Personen vi søker har bakgrunn fra kunstfeltet og har et engasjement for ytringsfrihet, menneskerettigheter og internasjonale forhold. Vi vektlegger også internasjonal erfaring.

Det er viktig at vår nye medarbeider har en forståelse for fleksibiliteten som kreves når man driver residens og kan håndtere uventede situasjoner og endringer på en god måte. Personen vi ansetter må kunne arbeide godt i team og være lydhør og tillitsskapende i møtet med kunstnere fra svært ulike bakgrunner og forskjellige land. Fleksibilitet og forståelse i møte med kunstnere fra alle deler av verden og resten av teamet er essensielt.

Du bør ha solid formuleringsevne på norsk og engelsk, både muntlig og skriftlig.

Programmedarbeiders oppgaver inkluderer, men er ikke begrenset til

Bidra inn til residensene praktisk og kunstfaglig
Bidra til utvikling av vårt kunst- og samfunnsprogram gjennom workshops for kunstnere, samtaler, visninger og konserter rettet mot et bredere publikum.
Fasilitere produksjon av kunst i ulike former med våre samarbeidspartnere
Bidra til å skape, tilrettelegge og utvikle visninger og konserter i samarbeid med residenskunstneren, residenskoordinator og andre prosjektdeltakere
Rapportering, budsjett og søknader knyttet til ansvarsområdet
Knytte kunstneren opp mot faglig nettverk.
Administrasjon

Bakgrunn og kvalifikasjoner

Bred kunstfaglig bakgrunn, Kunstfaglig kompetanse og/eller erfaring gjennom feks eget kunstnerisk virke eller gjennom å kuratere, organisere eller produserer kunstfaglige eller kunstneriske prosjekter.
Stort nettverk i norsk kunst og kulturliv
Internasjonal erfaring er en fordel, har du bakgrunn fra, har bodd eller arbeidet i et annet land er det en fordel
Interesse for menneskerettigheter og kunstnerisk ytringsfrihet
Erfaring med arrangementsutvikling, workshops eller kuratering/kunstproduksjon/visninger/scenearbeid
Erfaring med søknadsskriving og ryddig og nøyaktig rapportering skriftlig og muntlig
Ha solid formuleringsevne på norsk og engelsk, både muntlig og skriftlig

Personlige egenskaper

Du har en god forståelse av fleksibilitet
God sosial, kulturell og kunstnerisk kompetanse
Selvgående, men også en lagspiller
Kreativ og lyttende med gjennomføringsevne
Evne til å skape positivt engasjement
Forståelse for kunstneriske prosesser

Personlig egnethet og teamets totale sammensetning vil bli vektlagt.

Vi tilbyr:

Stillingsstørrelse: 100%

Lønn etter avtale.

Fleksibel arbeidstid etter avtale.

En del reisevirksomhet samt arbeid kvelder og helger må påregnes.

Safemuse holder til i kontor i Oscarsgate i Oslo og driver også residens i Hvitsten i Vestby kommune.

SØKNADSFRIST 16.mars

Innkomne søknader vurderes fortløpende.

Søknad med referanser og CV sendes celina@safemuse.org

Kontaktperson: Daglig leder Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor, telefon 95735598

© Safemuse Organisation - Oslo/Norway

Fri Kunst dagskonferanse 2024 / Artistic Freedom Conference 2024

Akari — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 07:42:57 +0000

FRI KUNST DAGSKONFERANSE 2024 / ARTISTIC FREEDOM CONFERENCE 2024

February 16, 2024

Fri Kunst konferanse, 1. mars på Riksscenen, Oslo

For tredje året på rad arrangerer Safemuse en dagskonferanse på Riksscenen under Fri Kunst-uken i begynnelsen av mars. Dagen byr på samtaler som setter søkelys på den frie kunsten og kunstneres endringskraft og rolle i samfunnet, i tillegg til kunstneriske innlegg fra en rekke norske og internasjonale kunstnere.

Dagskonferansen fredag 1. mars er åpen og gratis, men krever påmelding innen 26. february 2024. Påmeldingslenke her.

PROGRAM:

11:30 Dørene åpner
12:00 – 12:10 Kunstnerisk innlegg: Mahsa Vahdat og Marjan Vahdat
12:10 – 12:20 Velkomst
12:25 – 12:35 Åpningstale: sametingspresident Silje Karine Muotka
12:35 – 12:45 Kunstnerisk innlegg: Don Martin
12:45 – 12:55 Kunstnerisk innlegg: Varun Narain
13:00 – 13:50 Panelsamtale I: Kunstens kraft og rolle som samfunnsendrer i Norge og verden (samtalen vil foregå på norsk)
– Øystein Strand, avdelingsdirektør for Kunstnerisk produksjon og formidling, Kulturdirektoratet
– Silje Karine Muotka, president, Sámediggi / Sametinget
– Cliff Moustache, kunstnerisk leder, Nordic Black Theatre
– Moderator: Yohan Shanmugaratnam, journalist og forfatter
13:50 – 14:10 Pause
14:10 – 14:20 Kunstnerisk innlegg: Viktor Bomstad
14:20 – 15:10 Panelsamtale II: Kunstnersamtale om kunst og endringskraft (samtalen vil foregå på engelsk)
– Masha Vahdat, sanger og komponist
– Varun Narain, dukkemaker/dukkefører og Safemuse residenskunstner
– Viktor Bomstad, landsdelsjoiker for Troms og Finnmark
– Jannik Abel, fotograf og billedkunstner
– Moderator: Nosizwe Baqwa, artist, aktivist og styremedlem i Safemuse
15:15 – 15:30 Presentasjon: Safemuse Art Havens
15:30 – 15:40 Kort oppsummering
15:40 – 16:00 Pause / omrigg
16:00 – 16:30 Tverrkunstnerisk mini-forestilling: Hooman Sharifi og Arash Moradi
16:30 – 17:30 Sosialt samvær med bevertning

VELKOMMEN

————————

Artistic Freedom Week Conference, 1st of March at Riksscenen in Oslo

For the third year in a row, Safemuse organises a full-day conference at Riksscenen during Artistic Freedom Week in the beginning of March. The program includes talks that focus on art and artists’ roles and power to change society, in addition to artistic interventions from a number of Norwegian and international artists.

The conference is an open event and free of charge, but requires registration by 26 February 2024. Registration link here.

PROGRAM:

11:30 The doors open
12:00 – 12:10 Artistic intervention: Mahsa Vahdat and Marjan Vahdat
12:10 – 12:20 Welcome
12:25 – 12:35 Opening speech: President of the Sámi Parliament Silje Karine Muotka
12:35 – 12:45 Artistic intervention: Don Martin
12:45 – 12:55 Artistic intervention: Varun Narain
13:00 – 13:50 Panel discussion I: The power of art and its capacity for change, in Norway and the world (the conversation will take place in Norwegian)
– Øystein Strand, department director for artistic production and communication
– Silje Karine Muotka, president, Sámediggi / Sámi Parliament
– Cliff Mustache, artistic director, Nordic Black Theatre
– Moderator: Yohan Shanmugaratnam, journalist and author
13:50 – 14:10 Break
14:10 – 14:20 Artistic intervention: Viktor Bomstad
14:20 – 15:10 Panel conversation II: Artist conversation about art and its power to bring about change (the conversation will take place in English)
– Masha Vahdat, singer and composer
– Varun Narain, puppeteer and Safemuse artist-in-residence
– Viktor Bomstad, regional joiker for Troms and Finnmark
– Jannik Abel, photographer and visual artist
– Moderator: Nosizwe Baqwa, artist, activist and board member of Safemuse
15:15 – 15:30 Presentation: Safemuse Art Havens
15:30 – 15:40 Closing remarks
15:40 – 16:00 Break / rearrangement
16:00 – 16:30 Mini-performance: Hooman Sharifi and Arash Moradi
16:30 – 17:30 Social gathering with refreshments

WELCOME

© Safemuse Organisation - Oslo/Norway

Meet our newest staff members

Akari — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 13:22:25 +0000

Meet our newest staff members

February 13, 2024

We are happy to present Safemuse’s newest staff members: Tiril Ellingsen Thue and Heidi Marie Kriznik. Tiril has been involved with Safemuse since last fall, but begun working full-time in January 2024, whilst Heidi Marie joined the Safemuse-team in February 2024.

Tiril Ellingsen Thue is a human geographer with broad international experience. She holds an MA from the University of Oslo. In addition, she has lived and studied in Russia and Serbia and has a background from humanitarian organisations, voluntary work and doing research on issues of extremism and minority rights, particularly in the Balkans.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

Art gives us the opportunity to experience, interpret and question the way we see the world. This is a privilege and a right that I think should be the foundation of any open and free society, one that we unfortunately increasingly see is under threat. Artistic freedom is about defending and strengthening a diversity of voices and forms of expression for artists and societies. I am very excited to join Safemuse and to be a part of the incredibly important work that they do, working in solidarity with and advocating for artists at risk, for the creation of art and for the promotion of human rights and freedom of artistic expression.

Heidi Marie Kriznik has a background as a Norwegian fiction writer, essayist, and columnist. She made her debut in 2002 with the novel Applause, for which she received the Tarjei Vesaas debutant award. The first novel is about a Polish man who comes to Norway. All her novels reflect immigration and the experience of outsiders. Her non-fiction book Den delte byen/The divided City deals with the differences in living conditions in the city of Oslo. She has held several writing courses and workshops for children, young people, and adults. She has held lectures and participated in several panel discussions.

For the past six years, she has been Head of the Norwegian Authors’ Union. She has also been a part of the Norwegian Authors’ Union international committee. Heidi Marie has been active in the Artists’ Network in Norway and has also worked politically for better living conditions in Oslo, and for equal access to benefits. Heidi Marie has a bachelor’s degree in social studies and has also worked as a social worker.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

I will answer that question by referring to the author John Berger, he writes in the essay Miners in the book Keeping a rendezvous: “I can´t tell you what art does and how it does it, but I know that often art has judged the judges, pleaded revenge to the innocent and shown to the future what the past suffered, so that it has never been forgotten. I know too that the powerful fear art, whatever its form, when it does this, and amongst the people such art sometimes runs like a rumour and legend because it makes sense of what life´s brutalities cannot, a sense that unite us, for it is inseparable from justice at last.”

I think there is a reason why artistic expressions have, and should have, special protection. It is therefore also so important that Norway understands its obligations towards the article of the UNESCO Convention 16, which emphasises that artists and cultural workers must be given preferential rights when granting visas.

Art and culture are a social infrastructure that ensures that people meet and interact, but for art to be able to unite us, it must be free and including, representative and diverse.

As we know, many artists do not have the opportunity to freely express themselves through art. Safemuse is an important organization, and I look forward to work together with the Safemuse team, to facilitate residencies in Norway for endangered and persecuted artists from all over the world, and to push the agenda of human rights and artistic freedom. And of course, I look forward to meeting the artists-in-residence and experience their art.

© Safemuse Organisation - Oslo/Norway

A new general manager in Safemuse from 1st of November

Akari — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:33:01 +0000

A NEW GENERAL MANAGER IN SAFEMUSE

October 31, 2022

We are pleased to announce that Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor is set to become the new general manager of Safemuse – Safe Havens for Artists.

Bright-Taylor has worked as an advisor in the organisation for the past two years and will take on her new role starting on Tuesday 1 November 2022. She succeeds Jan Lothe Eriksen, who founded the organisation in 2011. Eriksen is now stepping down in his role as general manager of Safemuse, but will however continue as a senior advisor.

A planned transition

– Fortunately, the Safemuse board has had plenty of time to prepare for this change of general manager. Finding a new boss who could build on the excellent work Jan Lothe Eriksen has put in has been particularly crucial. Jan was the one who established Safemuse, and has his dedication has been crucial in developing the organisation into what it is today, says the chairman of Safemuse, Hans Ole Rian.

The board is confident that Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor is the right person for the position.

– She has a very relevant education, and through her work at Safemuse has shown that she has all the qualities we are looking for in Jan’s successor.

– The important thing going forward is to secure funding, establish Safemuse as an even more important and relevant organisation in the area of freedom of expression, and work for more residencies for some of the far too many persecuted artists we receive reports about. We will also ensure that the artists who come here to Norway develop their artistry – preferably in collaboration with colleagues here in the country – and also follow up the artists who have been in residence here once they return to work in their respective home countries, says Rian.

Time to pass on the baton

– It doesn’t look like Safemuse will be redundant anytime soon. On the contrary and unfortunately. Both Freemuse’s documentation of the increasing number of gross violations of artistic freedom in its annual reports, State of Artistic Freedom, and also when we see all the censored, threatened and persecuted artists from around the globe who send strong applications for residency to Safemuse, then Safemuse had far more residency places to offer, says outgoing general manager, Jan Lothe Eriksen.

– Thanks to this year’s contribution from the municipality of Oslo, we have been able to establish our new residency program together with Nordic Black Theatre. Next year, we plan to expand the intiative through a new collaboration with Hvitsten Salong and partner Strefa Kultury Wrocław in Poland. This is motivating and important work, so we really hope that the Ministry of Culture and the government in this year’s budget process will contribute to the further development of our projets.

– After 12-13 years of building the organisation, it is now the time to pass on the baton to younger forces. I will continue to assist in a transition phase in a more withdrawn position. And with Bright-Taylor as the new general manager, together with the rest of Safemuse’s brilliant team, and with the support of motivated board members, Safemuse is in the very best of hands.

Safemuse’s incoming general manager, Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor, is excited to embark on her new role in the organisation:

– I am grateful for the trust from my current boss and from the board. I look forward to continuing to work with them and with the artists, members and partners to strengthen artistic freedom of expression, human rights and not least contribute to the creation of art in all forms.

© Safemuse Organisation - Oslo/Norway

Safemuse er bekymret over regjeringens kutt til menneskerettighetsarbeid i revidert statsbudsjett

Akari — Fri, 13 May 2022 09:02:45 +0000

Revidert Statsbudsjett: Regjeringens kutt til menneskerettighetsarbeid skaper bekymring

May 13, 2022

Regjeringen møter ikke situasjonen verden står i

I forslag til revidert statsbudsjett 2022, som ble lagt frem på torsdag, foreslår regjeringen å kutte støtten til satsinger på menneskerettigheter, menneskerettighetsforsvarere, kvinners rettigheter, arbeidstakerrettigheter, ytringsfrihet, rettsstat og demokrati med 136 millioner kroner. Daglig leder i Safemuse, Jan Lothe Eriksen, er dypt bekymret for det foreslåtte kuttet på over 20 prosent i en urolig tid hvor behovet for å prioritere menneskerettighetsarbeid er større enn på lenge:

– Det er dypt foruroligende og meget overraskende at regjeringen velger å foreslå å kutte i budsjettposten som er satt av til arbeid for menneskerettigheter og menneskerettighetsforkjempere. I en tid med økende press mot ytringsfrihet og menneskerettighetsforkjempere, inkludert kunstnere, i Europa er dette området viktigere enn noen gang. Det foreslåtte kuttet er i sterk motsetning til hva regjeringen har signalisert så langt. Utenriksdepartementets egen strategi på dette området er krystallklar, og den løfter frem kunstnere som viktige menneskerettighetsforkjempere og demokratibyggere. Og Kulturminister Anette Trettebergstuen fremholdt under åpningen av Fri Kunst-konferansen 4. mars at dette område er noe av det viktigste man kan arbeide for, nettopp med henvisning til krigen i Ukraina og den urolige tiden vi lever i. Sist under Europakonferansen i Kristiansand 5. mai, hvor vel rammene for budsjettet var lagt, gjentok statssekretær i Kulturdepartementet Odin Adelsten Aunan Bohmann, viktigheten av å beskytte ytringsfrihet og kulturelle rettigheter, og påpekte kunstnernes viktige rolle som demokratiforkjempere.

Med Hurdalplattformens klare formulering på dette området blir budsjettforslaget helt uforståelig. I denne tiden er det snarere behov for en opptrapping og styrking av dette arbeidet, og ikke å foreta dramatiske budsjettkutt!

—

The government does not heed to the situation in the world

In the proposal for the revised state budget 2022, which was presented on Thursday, the Norwegian government proposes to cut the support for work related to human rights, human rights defenders, women’s rights, labor rights, freedom of expression, the rule of law and democracy by NOK 136 million. Safemuse’s general manager, Jan Lothe Eriksen, is deeply concerned that a more-than-20 percent-cut is proposed in these turbulent times when the need for these funds is acute:

– It is deeply disturbing and very surprising that the government chooses to propose cuts in the effort for human rights and human rights defenders. In times of increasing pressure on freedom of expression and human rights defenders, including artists, in Europe, this area is more important than ever. The proposed cut is in stark contrast to what the government has signaled so far. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ own strategy in this area is crystal clear, and it highlights artists as important human rights defenders and democracy-builders. At the opening of the Artistic Freedom Conference on March 4th, the Minister of Culture, Anette Trettebergstuen, emphasised that this area is one of the most important areas to work for, particularly with reference to the war in Ukraine and the turbulent times we live in. Most recently during the European Conference in Kristiansand on May 5th, State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Odin Adelsten Aunan Bohmann, reiterated the importance of protecting freedom of expression and cultural rights, and highlighted the important role of artists as pro-democracy activists.

With a national political platform that clearly states the importance of human rights efforts, the budget proposal becomes completely incomprehensible. This is the time to escalate and strengthen this work, rather than to make a dramatic budget cut!

© Safemuse Organisation - Oslo/Norway

Upcoming artistic residency in Oslo and a new Residence Coordinator

Akari — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 12:06:51 +0000

Upcoming artistic residency in Oslo and a new Residence Coordinator

February 3, 2022

Upcoming residency program in Oslo

The observations and reports by Freemuse and the wider, international network dedicated to defending artistic freedom of expression, all share a common concern: All over the world, artists are exposed to threats and persecution because they create art and in various ways are perceived as a challenge to existing power structures.

When Safemuse was established in 2013, its mission emanated from various Norwegian artists’ organisations’ wish to protect the artistic freedom of expression and the role of artists in society. The newly-launched residency program in Oslo is the last development in Safemuse’s international solidarity initiative, which aims to give artists safe spaces to create and develop their artistry, regardless of the country in which they reside.

“We continue to see a great need for permanent residences that can ensure continuity and predictability in our work, and contribute to safe opportunities for the artists” says Jan Lothe Eriksen, the director of Safemuse. Artists who experience harassment, persecution and threats are forced to work under very difficult conditions, and have a great need to get out of such situations, recharge their batteries, meet colleagues, expand their repertoire and develop new works and projects. By inviting endangered and persecuted artists to safe residences, we provide the opportunity for a breather. At the same time, Norwegian artists get the opportunity to collaborate with foreign colleagues with completely unique qualities and backgrounds, present these to the public and enrich the Norwegian cultural scene. The residency program in Oslo is organised in cooperation with Nordic Black Theatre and funded by the City of Oslo. The activities related to the program will also strengthen international cultural cooperation in Oslo, cooperation for artistic freedom of expression and increased understanding of art as a societal changer.

Meet our new project coordinator

“As artistic freedom is an important base for any well-functioning society, it should be allowed to be as diverse as we as humans are.”

-Jon Lundell, Residency Coordinator

Jon Lundell, is the newest addition to Safemuse’s team. Jon is a father of two children and has a background as a photographer, artist, art teacher and director of the wonderful art festival, collective and hub, Hvitsten Salong.

What does artistic freedom mean to you?

“As artistic freedom is an important base for any well-functioning society, it should be allowed to be as diverse as we as humans are. This, I think, should be at the core of the understanding of artistic freedom. At the same time, we must be vigilant when it is being used as means for oppressive discourse and reactionary practice. Safemuse is doing super important work for artists at risk and pushing the agenda of human rights and artistic freedom. I am very eager to be part of the organisation and look forward to contributing to this amazing work, as well as to broaden my perspectives and learn more about the challenges in the world of art.”

Safemuse is thrilled to have such a knowledgeable, experienced and motivated new team member onboard to help run the residency in Oslo and, hopefully, contribute to realising the ambitions to expand the Artistic Safe Haven residency program to other parts of Norway in the future.

Announcement: New staff member in Safemuse

Akari — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 11:05:10 +0000

NEW STAFF MEMBER AT SAFEMUSE

September 21, 2021

MEET OUR NEW TEAM MEMBER

We are glad to announce that Akari Izumi Kvamme is the newest member to the Safemuse team!

Akari holds a BA in political science from the University of British Columbia in Canada and a MSc in international relations from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Her master thesis explored the nexus between international border politics, aesthetics and creative resistance. Over the years, Akari has been involved in a number of NGOs and grassroots initiatives, such as No to Nuclear Weapons Norway (Nei til Atomvåpen), ICAN Norway, Oslo World festival and the youth project Ezinne Athletics. In 2014 she co-directed the short documentary Caminando por la Habana / Walking through Havana, which was awarded a prize at Raindance Festival. Akari recently enrolled in part-time studies in film- and video art.

Q: What does artistic freedom mean to you?

Artistic freedom enables artists to openly and freely imagine, create and share their art without fear of censorship and persecution. It is a vital freedom of expression and indispensable in building diverse and vibrant democracies. The unique contributions of artists around the world form a dynamic force that enrichens, moves and inspires society at large. Art can also provide a channel to pose important societal questions and challenge destructive norms, politics and power structures. Where artistic freedom is under threat, it must be vigorously defended and protected. I look forward to working with an organisation that actively promotes and supports artists at risk and their right to safely and freely express their art!

Akari is entering a 80% position as an adviser in Safemuse and begun her work on the 1st of September 2021.

Artist in residence meets engaged youth

Karoline — Sat, 10 Oct 2020 12:00:34 +0000

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE MEETS ENGAGED YOUTH

October 10, 2020

DANCE, FREEDOM AND THE POWER OF ART

For the fourth year Safemuse visited Solidaritetsungdommen, Norwegian People Aids’ youth organization, at their annual seminar at Utøya.

“Gato has been dancing since he was fifteen. For him dancing isn´t just a way of expression, but the way of expressing himself. When he dances others listen, they stop. They see the possibility of a different world. That is why he is dangerous. Because Hope is dangerous. Because youths with hope are youths that create change. And those who don’t want change are those in power. They are threatened by Gato, by dance, by arts’ ability to make people feel.”

Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor, Safemuse

«People change the world» is the slogan of Norwegian People Aid and Solidaritetsungdommen. Safemuse visited their seminar at Utøya a weekend in September, to talk about the importance of art and artistic freedom, and how art contributes to changing the world.

We screened the documentary B-Boys for life that documents the life of our artist in residence Carlos «Gato» Catuns’ break dance crew in Guatemala City. The documentary describes the brutality of the gangs, but also shows the power they have in society.

As well as showing the documentary Gato also participated in a conversation together with Nicolai Lopez and Celina Jerman Bright Taylor from Safemuse about the importance of art as an alternative to criminality. He spoke about how dancing changed his life and how it gives youths an opportunity to find a community somewhere else than amongst the gangs that control large parts of Guatemala.

After the conversation we had the opportunity to continue the talk with engaged youths that use their spare time to contribute to different parts of Norwegian Peoples Aids’ work. It was moving to experience Utøya filled with young people that want to create change. It gave hope for change also in Guatemala.

Utøya is an island in the Tyrifjorden lake about 38 km northwest of Oslo city centre. Utøya is owned by the Workers’ Youth League (AUF), a youth group associated with the Labour Party in Norway.

On 22 July 2011, a mass shooting took place at the AUF’s summer youth camp, where over 500 young people were staying. The perpetrator, Anders Behring Breivik arrived at the island after setting off a car bomb in the Government Quarter in Oslo.

Combined, the attacks in Oslo and Utøya left 77 dead, with 69 killed on the island.

For more information, see the 22 July Centre.

MEET THE NEW TEAM

Karoline — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 09:39:02 +0000

MEET THE NEW TEAM

August 27, 2020

Photo: Even Finnsrud/Musikkultur

THE SAFEMUSE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM IS GROWING

Safemuse is entering the fall with some wonderful additions to our team. With one new full time employee, one new temp and one new residence coordinator, we will keep working to give artists at risk a safe place to work and develop their art. Kicking off the autumn with a two-day seminar, the administrative team got to work on some of our future projects. We are proud to introduce you to the newest members of our team, what their background is and what they think about artistic freedom.

Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor

Photo: Jon Lundell

Celina has a background in international relations and international law. She has worked with human rights issues in several countries, but has in the last years been working in civil society organizations in Norway like NOAS, FIVAS and the Norwegian Council for Africa. She has been especially involved in the work with corporate social responsibility. Celina is passionate about how we through art and creative expressions can shed light on important questions in our society, how art opens up new ways to meet people and allows us to understand how changes in the society affects people’s lives.

Q: What does artistic freedom mean to you?

– To me, artistic freedom means the right to self-expression on your own terms. Art, in all its shapes and forms, talks to our emotions, to something deeper within us than what is purely intellectual. That is why art is dangerous, provocative and an agent for change. There is a feeling of community when we chant the same song in a demonstration. A short poem can hold a world of questions and of answers and comprehension of complex issues. A theater can create a debate concerning both the personal and the political. But to me, most importantly, people should have the freedom to create their own space, to work with and express what it is that lives within themselves.

Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor enters a full time position as Program Officer.

Frøydis Bergheim Ruud

Photo: Even Finnsrud/Musikkultur

Frøydis has in the recent years worked as label manager at Grappa Musikkforlag AS, where she has been in charge of traditional music label Heilo, as well as jazz/experimental labels Hubro and Odin. She has also been the Grappa liaison for Safemuse’s own label LIDIO. She holds a master degree in traditional music from the University of South-East Norway. As a playing manager of ‘Myllargutens gammaldansorkester’ she released several albums and toured a variety of countries in Europe with the 15 piece band. Her optimistic world view drives her to work for what she truly believes in: that when a multitude of cultural expressions are made available to many, we as a society will be more open and understanding and progressive. She brings with her a great passion for facilitating collaborations and cultural meetings across genres and borders.

Q: What does artistic freedom mean to you?

– The role of art in our society is to describe, challenge and criticize. That is why artistic freedom is essential to maintain a well-functioning society that moves forward, and never is allowed to stagnate.

Frøydis Bergheim Ruud is entering a 50% temporary position as Project Coordinator.

Nicolai López

Photo: Even Finnsrud/Musikkultur

Nicolai comes from a background in hip hop and theatre. He has worked for over a decade as a professional dancer, before he started his present career as a creative producer and project manager within the arts field. He has a deep passion for and knowledge about the Northern Norwegian culture, as well as the Sámi culture and indigenous culture in various parts of the world. He has run an artist management for Northern Norwegian and Sámi artists, working amongst others with the successful band ISÁK. He has also worked with several theatre and dance projects – the most famous being ‘Vidas Extremas’ that earned a Hedda Award and the Theatre Critics Award in 2016.

Q: What does artistic freedom mean to you?

– Artistic freedom is an essential right. Through my work with indigenous culture I have come to understand that it is also completely necessary. For many people, the stage is the only place you can express yourself freely, even if that stage is hidden, and everywhere else is a dangerous place. Those who truly fight for artistic freedom are people who dare to risk something, risks that we in Norway will probably never really understand. We might think that we are willing to die for our art, but we will never have to make that choice. This is why I want to use all my effort and knowledge, to fight for those who know and have experienced what the price of artistic freedom can be.

Nicolai enters a 50% position as Residence Coordinator for our current residency with the dancer Gato.