Munch goes to the Opera
The City of Oslo has come to an agreement with the harbour authorities to acquire a property opposite the new Opera building. This implies that the Munch Museum, the Stenersen Museum and the city’s new Deichman Public Library will be located in Bjørvika, Oslo’s seafront area of urban development. For the new National Museum for Art, Design and Architecture, the Norwegian state has repurchased from the City of Oslo the site of the former railway-station Vestbanen, earlier acquired by the city for cultural purposes, intended to house e.g. the Deichman Library and the Stenersen Museum.
Background
The City of Oslo acquired the Vestbanen estate from the state in March 2006. However, it soon became evident that the planned project would be very expensive to carry out. Few cultural institutions could afford the rent and the cost of development that the winning architectural prospect requires.
A joint solution for re-locating major cultural institutions in Oslo.
Discussions have been going on between the Norwegian state, represented by the Department of Culture and Church Affairs, and the City of Oslo, in order to reach a common solution for as many as possible of the planned cultural institutions. As a result of this, the Deichman Library, the Munch Museum and the Stenersen Museum will move to Bjørvika, whereas he National Museum of Art, Design and Architecture will be established at Vestbanen.
A new Munch Museum is necessary. A new building in Bjørvika will ensure an ideal central location as well as optimal conditions for exhibitions, research, and administration of the Munch collection.
The Stenersen Museum is temporarily situated in the Concert Hall building, in rooms needed by the Concert Hall for its own activities. A joint location of the Stenersen Museum and the Munch Museum will cut investment, administration, and management expenses, as well as paving the way for favourable professional co-operation.
The Deichman Library building, housing the main public library of Oslo, is old and unsuitable for a modern library. The long-time planning of a new and up-to-date library can now at last be realized, at the heart of the cultural cluster in Bjørvika.
The aim is to inaugurate the museums and the library for the celebration of the bicentenary of the Norwegian constitution in 2014.
Fridtjof Nansens plass 4, 2. et.
Postadresse:
P.b. 1453 Vika, 0116 Oslo
Redaktør: Alv Hågård Gustavsen alv.hagard.gustavsen@kul.oslo.kommune.no
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