Norway -- Svalbard Samfunnsdrift AS in Spitsbergen

Longyearbyen at Svalbard (Spitsbergen)

One studio and accommodation for one artist.

Svalbard is a stretch of arctic islands under Norwegian jurisdiction. Spitsbergen is the largest of these. Longyearbyen, situated north of the 78th parallel, has about 1.400 inhabitants. The coal mines have long been the economic backbone of Svalbard, but tourism is becoming an important source of income. There are several settlements at Svalbard, e.g. Barentsburg, which is inhabited by Russians.

The average temperature is about -14 C in the winter and +6 C in the summer. Svalbard has perennial frost, which means that only the top layer of soil thaws in the summer. It is necessary to bring warm clothes, but there are well-stocked shops where you can get most things you need, except artists' materials. The midnight sun shines from April 20 to August 20, whereas the dark period lasts from the end of October to mid-February.

The studio and flat are in a renovated former shop. Galleri Svalbard is at one end of the building. On the first floor there are 3 separate rooms (14 m2 each), one of which is for the Nordic guest artist. The bathroom, kitchen and living room are shared.

Nordic AiR residencies are available during the period 15 August - 15 October.

Studio address: Longyearbyen Kunstnerssenter, P.O.Box 475, N - 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway

Run by: Svalbard Samfunnsdrift AS
Contact person: Mr John W. Olsen, galleri.svalbard@ssd.no
TEL +47 79 02 23 40, FAX +47 79 02 15 57