Arts Council Norway

Until 2014, the Arts Council Norway occupied a timber building at 44 Akersgata, in the so-called Empire Quarter, which in 1807 served as a military hospital. That building was demolished in the 1950s, with parts of the Military Hospital (designed by Charles Pousette) subsequently kept in the open air museum on Bygdøy. In 1983, that historical building was rebuilt on Graf Wedel Square next to the Old Lodge (Gamle Logen), and it became the home of the Norwegian Cultural Fund and the Arts Council Norway (est. 1965). The task of the Arts Council Norway is to popularise Norwegian culture in line with the general principles of the country's cultural policy, and the aim is to support Norwegian cultural traditions and cultural activities, partly through various forms of funding for literature, film, the graphic arts and music.

For eight years, Arne Nordheim was chair of the Arts Council's Music Committee, and he drew on the Council's support in his recording work. In 1990, he was distinguished with a honorary award of the Arts Council Norway.