About LKV

Trondheim's largest arena for art production

LKV is an artist-run organization established in 1993. In the former Lademoen school, we currently provide permanent studio spaces for more than 40 artists, five specialized workshops, an international residency program, and the exhibition space BABEL. As Trondheim’s largest arena for art production, a wide range of exhibitions, public art projects, and productions are created here and presented locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

43: artist studios
6: yearly exhibitions at BABEL
5: workshops
1,66: full-time equivalents
25+: residency artists annually

Artist run

LKV is a vibrant example of what happens when artists themselves are given the opportunity to shape the framework of their workplace and environment. Here, it is the artists’ experiences, needs, and visions that guide the development—from how the workshops are further developed to who is invited as guest artists and exhibitors at BABEL.

Since its founding in 1993, more than 140 artists have had studios at LKV and have actively contributed to building and running the organization. Through general meetings, committees, and working groups, the artists take responsibility for everything from practical maintenance to artistic decisions. In this way, LKV is continuously developed in line with the actual needs of the artists, while the sense of community remains strong.

When artists have ownership of both process and structure, it not only strengthens working conditions for professional artists, but also increases the potential for creating more accessible and meaningful encounters with art for the public and the local community.

Art isn't made in the gallery

Every year, art produced at LKV is exhibited in over 100 exhibitions in municipalities across Norway and internationally. Art does not come from the gallery, but from the workshop!

In our facilities, we offer well-equipped and affordable production workshops for printmaking, photography, wood, metal, ceramics, and large-scale work. Forty-three studios provide artists with stable and long-term working conditions, while project rooms and workshops are available to all professional artists.

International environment

We currently have eight nationalities represented in our studio community, and through the residency program and BABEL, LKV welcomes artists from all over the world every year. This brings new perspectives from other places to Trondheim through artist presentations, exhibitions, and professional collaborations. At the same time, these artists help to make LKV’s activities and those in Trøndelag visible internationally. In this way, cultural exchange and professional development are fostered - both of which are central to LKV’s mission.

Art Mediation

Art mediation is a central part of LKV’s work and takes place through everything from exhibitions and open studios to workshops, artist talks, and collaborative projects. By showcasing artistic processes and sharing work across disciplines, LKV creates insight and dialogue between artists and the public. Our focus on early outreach in schools, through our pilot project with Lilleby Skolel, gives students regular access to exhibitions at BABEL and helps build lasting relationships with art. The goal of our outreach work is to strengthen cultural exchange and professional development both within our organization and in the local community, while also making contemporary art more accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

Vision and values

LKV has a fundamental belief in the importance of free art for a healthy society. We believe that proximity and openness to art can enhance quality of life, community, and society’s capacity for reflection and innovation. As a leading artist-run production space, we ensure professional artists have good working conditions and room for experimentation, while also fostering community, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.

Through production opportunities, exhibitions, workshops, and artist talks, we make art accessible on the artists’ own terms. Our goal is to strengthen both art and the artist’s role in society, and to create lasting relationships between artists, audiences, and the local community. In this way, we help make Trondheim and Trøndelag places for meaningful and engaging artistic experiences.

Our history

Since its establishment in 1993, Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder has developed into an important and multifaceted institution in Norwegian art life. What began as a local initiative to create a studio community for artists in Trondheim has grown into an international art center with workshops, a residency program, and an exhibition space, in addition to the studios. Here are some milestones from our history:

1993

Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder is established in the former Lademoen school through a unique collaboration between artists and the municipality of Trondheim. The initiative arose from a need for professional workshops and studios in Trondheim, after the closure of the Avant Garden and Bakke gård studio collectives.

1996

The residency program was launched with support from the Municipality of Trondheim and Sør-Trøndelag County Council. The offer consisted of two apartments in the former gym building and two guest studios in the main building.

1999

The Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder Foundation is established. As a foundation, LKV can receive investment and operating funds from the Municipality of Trondheim and other public funding bodies.

2006

BABEL, an exhibition space for art, was established at the initiative of the artists at LKV, who wanted to give resident artists the opportunity to present their work to a wider audience. BABEL has become LKV’s public face.

2019

A comprehensive and gradual upgrade of LKV’s facilities and equipment is initiated. The apartments in the residency program are renovated and expanded with two additional apartments. The program also becomes interdisciplinary, opening up to practitioners from all art disciplines, as well as curators and critics.

2023

The 30th anniversary marks LKV’s significance for the art scene in Trondheim. BABEL is entering a new phase with a planned move to the former gymnasium at LKV.

2025

BABEL moves into new premises. For the first time, all four of LKV’s main functions are gathered in one place, and LKV receives a new visual identity, including signage and new websites. In its new and larger space, BABEL strengthens its role as a presenter of contemporary art to a wider audience. A four-year pilot collaboration with the nearest primary school, Lilleby Skole, is launched.

LKV team

LKV has high ambitions on behalf of artists and works hard to fulfill them. At the same time, we are a small team of part-time staff. Despite a high level of activity, we have only 1.66 full-time equivalent positions, divided between the general manager, artistic director of BABEL, communications coordinator, and cleaner. We also have a workshop manager and several gallery hosts working on an hourly basis. We are actively working to strengthen our capacity and improve working conditions so that the team can better support artists and continue to operate and develop the exhibition space BABEL, our educational programs, and workshop facilities. This creates strong working conditions for artists and gives them greater room for experimentation and development. At the same time, it benefits the public through increased access to high-quality art experiences.