Pilot project: Lilleby School

Art as a bridge builder: A pilot project for learning, life mastery, and inclusion

Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder and Lilleby School are collaborating on a four-year pilot project (2025–2029) connected to the exhibition programme at BABEL. The project is initiated and led by managing director Rebeka Helena Blikstad.

The aim is to provide all pupils in grades 1–4 with regular encounters with contemporary art as an integrated part of their everyday school life. Throughout the project period, the pupils will visit all exhibitions at BABEL, with six visits per year. The collaboration involves around 120 pupils and eight teachers, and results in a total of 48 guided tours annually.

The mediation programme is developed and carried out by Rebeka Blikstad and artist Veslemøy Lilleengen.

Through early and sustained exposure to contemporary art, the project seeks to strengthen children’s relationship to art and help counteract social exclusion, while also giving art a more prominent place in their everyday lives. In parallel, a model for long-term collaboration between school and art institution is being developed, where contemporary art is integrated into the pupils’ school day without predefined curriculum objectives.

A key principle is low-threshold participation. The school is within walking distance of LKV, and the programme requires no preparation or follow-up from teachers. The aim is to make encounters with art simple, regular, and accessible – also outside school, where admission to BABEL is always free.

The project is part of a research context through the PhD work of Nora Finseraas at NTNU, and is realised with support from Sparebankstiftelsen SMN, the Arts Council Norway (Kulturrådet), Trøndelag County Municipality, and the Norwegian Cultural Schoolbag (Den kulturelle skolesekken).