This is Atelier Nord’s New Director

Atelier Nord is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Hege Halstensen as director. After an exciting recruitment process with many qualified applicants, we are confident that Halstensen will bring new energy and expertise to the institution. Halstensen is an art historian, curator, and writer, and has previously served as director of Trafo Kunsthall (2020-22).

“With Ruth Hege Halstensen, Atelier Nord gains an ambitious and reliable leader who has the ability and interest to connect art and its venues to important social issues of our time,” says Atelier Nord’s chairperson, Anne Marthe Dyvi. “During the recruitment process, Halstensen demonstrated skills that make us confident she can build strong relationships with audiences and artists and strengthen Atelier Nord’s position in the local community,” she continues.

Halstensen regularly lectures at colleges and universities. In 2021-22, she was responsible for Art in Society at OsloMet, a master’s program she is still affiliated with. She has extensive experience as a freelance curator and has organized exhibitions for Kunstnernes Hus and Haugesund Art Gallery, as well as several art projects in public spaces. Currently, Halstensen is curating the group exhibition POST, opening on June 7 at the Nordic House in Reykjavik. Additionally, she writes about art and literature for Numer, Empirix, Periskop, and is the chair of the online journal Barnebokkritikk.

“I am grateful for the trust the board of Atelier Nord has shown me by giving me this exciting opportunity,” says Ruth Hege Halstensen. “Atelier Nord’s rich history, central location in Grünerløkka, Oslo, and proximity to valuable production and expertise environments make the place unique. I look forward to getting started with understanding the daily operations and the longer-term strategic work of further developing the institution.”

Ruth Hege Halstensen will assume the position of director at Atelier Nord on August 1, 2024, in a four-year term position.

The sculpture to the right in the portrait of Ruth Hege Halstensen is created by Anna Daniell and is titled Sekk og fjell (2013). Photo: Anne-Marte Før.