About Oslo Kunstforening

Oslo Kunstforening is a voluntary membership organisation, established in 1836. It is the oldest art institution in Norway, and anyone who wishes to may become a member. Since 1936, Oslo Kunstforening has been located in Rådmannsgården at Rådhusgata 19, the oldest building in Kvadraturen in the centre of Oslo.

Oslo Kunstforening was founded in 1836 by the poet J. S. Welhaven, bookseller and publisher Johan Dahl and former Prime Minister Fredrik Stang, inspired by the model of Københavns Kunstforening, and the Kunstvereins in Dresden and Düsseldorf. Oslo Kunstforening was established to ensure a permanent exhibition space for visual art in Norway – a few years before the National Gallery was founded. This makes Oslo Kunstforening the oldest art institution in Norway.

Oslo Kunstforening is supported by the City of Oslo and the Arts Council Norway, and also has a long-standing collaboration with Sparebankstiftelsen DNB. Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, is Oslo Kunstforening's highest patron.

Are you interested in supporting Oslo Kunstforening's work to promote interest in and awareness of contemporary art? Are you a frequent customer of art supply stores or framing and printing services?