UKS OPEN CALL 2026
ARTISTIC PROGRAMME AND GRANT

We invite artists based in Norway and abroad to apply to develop and present a new work at UKS in 2026. This year, UKS invites applications for the following formats:

• Five commissions will be presented in 2026 through overlapping manifestations.
• Four grants for artists under the age of 35, funded by Snorre Andersen, Maleren Ambrosius Egedius and Hustrus Legat (SAMAEHL). Read more about the grants below.

 

2026 ARTISTIC PROGRAMME

In 2022, UKS (Young Artist’s Society) moved to our new premises in Keysers Gate 1. Our new home spans 800 m2 and opened the doors for UKS to become more open, uncharted and risky. We want to be a home to many, to weave relationships, to respond to our neighbourhood, to encourage conversations and to be a testing ground for ideas, material and forms.

For the 2026 artistic programme Open Call, UKS encourages artists, cultural producers, makers and those interested to apply to develop a new work in conversation with UKS. New works will be presented side-by-side in an artistic programme that morphs throughout 2026. The works may inhabit any of our public spaces: the library, workshop space, open kitchen and/or exhibition space. Works may extend over time, be workshop-based, have plinths, be colourful or none or all of the above. Selected participants should expect to enter into a living house that is used by many people. It is UKS’ hope that this will result in a nourishing exchange of ideas and relationships.

– The artistic programme Open Call focuses on emerging and experimental cultural practices
– Both individuals and other constellations can apply, regardless of gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, physical ability or age.
– National and international applicants are encouraged to apply. UKS’ artistic programme provides communications, curatorial, financial and production support.
– Selected participants are expected to participate in a workshop in Oslo in March 2025.
– Please see “WHAT WE OFFER” for a detailed description of UKS’ support.

 

HOW TO APPLY

The application deadline is 30 August 2024, 1pm (Central European Time).
The application form is now closed.

The application must include:

• A description of your practice, maximum 2,500 characters (with spaces). If in doubt, focus on your current interests or obsessions, what you are working on and how you like working with materials and other people.
• A portfolio, including a maximum of 10 high-resolution images collated in one PDF, maximum size 6MB. Please focus on the direction your work has taken over recent years.
• Video and audio material should be linked from within the portfolio; please keep the entirety of the material to a maximum of 10 minutes in total.
• CV of maximum 2 pages, as PDF, maximum size 6MB.
  A short reflection that describes what you believe you can contribute and why you would like to work with UKS, maximum 700 characters (with spaces).

Practical information

• Applicants are not expected to describe concrete plans for an exhibition or the production of work.
• Considering the large number of applications to be reviewed, we advise applicants to:
  o Make your applications as concise and clear as possible.
  o Submit your material in good time in case of any technical problems.
• Selected projects will take place at UKS’ space in Keysers Gate 1, in Oslo’s city centre.
• Applications can be submitted in Norwegian, English, Danish or Swedish.
• The application portal will open on 1 August at 1pm till 30 August 1pm.
• Questions can be addressed by email to application@uks.no. Replies can be expected within five working days.
• Please note that UKS is closed for summer from 29 June to 29 July 2024, during which time UKS´ staff will not be available to respond to mail.
• Applications received after the application deadline will not be reviewed.

 

WHAT WE OFFER

UKS offers support for the development of your new work and covers a fee, honorarium and production costs. In the past, artists have successfully applied for additional funding from the Norwegian Arts Council and other public and private funding bodies.

All selected participants will receive:

• A fee (Norwegian: vederlag) which is calculated in accordance with the Norwegian Government Remuneration Agreement (Statens avtale om utstillingsvederlag). [1]
• A honorarium of 30,000,- NOK. [2]
• A production budget of 30,000,- NOK paid directly to the participant.

The selected applicants will be engaged in an ongoing dialogue with UKS’ director and curator. In addition, UKS provides support with production co-ordination, technical assistance, administrative support, a travel budget adjusted to your needs, and the infrastructure of our institution. UKS will also help the selected applicants to apply for additional funding and mediate the artistic programme through our communications channels.

 

GRANTS

SNORRE ANDERSEN, MALEREN AMBROSIUS EGEDIUS AND HUSTRUS LEGAT (SAMAEHL)
In 2024, UKS announces four scholarships of 50,000,- NOK. Snorre Andersen, Maleren Ambrosius Egedius and Hustrus Legat (SAMAEHL) stipulates that funds ‘will go to grants for young, gifted artists’. The grants must be awarded to artists under the age of 35, are unrelated to the UKS programme, and can only be granted to an individual once. 

To apply for the scholarship:

• Submit the same documentation as for the artistic programme.
• Tick the box that confirms you are eligible for the grant.
• Recipients of the grant must be able to provide documentation to prove that they were under 35 years of age at the time of submission.
• Only artists can apply for the SAMAEHL grant.

 

THE JURY

For previous Open Calls, which focused on solo exhibitions, UKS has received up to 450 applications, of which four artists were selected to develop their projects. For the 2026 artistic programme Open Call, we plan to select five participants.

Applications to UKS’ Open Call are evaluated by the UKS Jury, consisting of the Chair of the Board plus three Board Members, all of whom are professional and working artists, as well as the Director of UKS. Jury members for the 2026 Open Call are: Ragnhild Aamås (Chair), Magnus Skei Holmen and soso brafield, together with Miriam Wistreich (Director).

 

ABOUT UKS

UKS (Unge Kunstneres Samfund/Young Artists’ Society) is an Oslo-based institution for contemporary art and a Norwegian membership organisation. Founded by artists and for artists in 1921, it has since established itself as one of Norway’s core experimental venues for the arts; convening, exhibiting and supporting critical voices of contemporary artists, with the objective of having both an artistic and political impact within and beyond its region. UKS’ artistic programme is funded independently of its membership function and does not privilege UKS members.

UKS’ exhibition space is situated in Keysers Gate 1 in Oslo’s city centre. UKS is a non-profit organisation funded principally by the Norwegian state cultural budget.

 

 

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FOOTNOTE TO THE BUDGET CATEGORIES
1. Fee:
The fee is for exhibition copyright. The basis for the calculation is the ‘avtale om utstillingsvederlag’ between the artist organisations and the Norwegian state.

2. Honorarium:
The funding for the honorarium comes from a pilot funding scheme by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and is subject to its continuation in 2026. The honorarium covers non-artistic labour related to the project such as planning, administration, mediation, technical and logistical work.