Are you a visual artist, based in Norway, with an idea for a project or an artistic encounter that can take place in a classroom? Are you interested in creating an art production for and in collaboration with children and youth? Do you want to learn more about dissemination and the Den kulturelle skolesekken (DKS) program? Then DKS-LAB for Visual Arts is for you!
Information meeting in English about DKS-LAB 2026
Would you like to learn more?
We invite you to an open digital meeting for applicants on Friday, February 27th at 13:30:
DKS-LAB is a program where professional visual artists are invited to test educational projects for children and youth, based on their own artistic practice. Artists apply with an idea that, during the project period, is further developed into a full project, in collaboration with fellow artists and art professionals. The production is then carried out in the classroom with students and evaluated. After the project period, the artist should be confident that the project can be submitted to the regular DKS program.
The purpose of DKS-LAB for visual arts is to provide children and youth with more and better encounters with contemporary art, within a wide variety of expressions, and to give artists the opportunity to practice conveying their own art to the target audience.
DKS-LAB 2026
The application deadline for all Open Calls is Monday 16 March 2026.
All chosen candidates are expected to attend a digital kick-off meeting on Wednesday 25 March at 15:00. You will receive more information if you are selected for any of the workshops.
The formats of the 11 workshops in 2026 will vary. Some have a national scope, whereas others focus on a specific region. Please see the individual Open Call links below for practical information and specifications.
All attendees will be paid the same artists fee regardless of location and format. The learning experiences from DKS-LAB can be applied when creating a production proposal in the DKS portal before the registration deadline on 1 October 2026.
Open Call DKS-LAB Oslo: English as a working language
This year the DKS-LAB in Oslo is designated to English-speaking artists living in Norway. DKS-LAB for visual art in Oslo 2026 is a collaboration between Oslo Kunstforening, Fotogalleriet and UKS (Unge Kunstneres Samfund) with support from Kulturtanken and DKS Oslo.
The working language for this year’s DKS-LAB Oslo is English, but artists of all backgrounds are welcome. The lab welcomes applications from visual artists working with all materials, methods and expressions. Participants will be selected based on the submitted applications with project descriptions.
- Oslo Kunstforening, Young Artists' Society (UKS) & Fotogalleriet:
April in Oslo.
See Open Call
All Open Calls: Visual Arts
- Pikene på Broen:
7- 15 September in Kirkenes, Finnmark.
Focusing on Sámi and Kvääni contemporary art.
See Open Call
- North Norwegian Art Centre:
4 – 9 May in Svolvær, Nordland.
Seeking artists with a connection to the North-Norwegian region.
See Open Call
- Trøndelag Centre for Contemporary Art:
20 - 24 April in Trondheim, Trøndelag.
Seeking artists residing in Trøndelag or surrounding areas.
See Open Call
- Møre & Romsdal Art Center:
18 - 22 May in Molde, Møre og Romsdal.
Open to all applicants, but especially seeking artists from marginalized communities.
See Open Call
- Kunstgarasjen & Haugesund billedgalleri :
August and September in Bergen, Vestland.
Seeking artists residing in Rogaland or Vestland.
See Open Call
- Agder Kunstsenter, Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall & Kristiansand Kunsthall:
14 - 19 September in Kristiansand, Agder.
Focusing on digital culture and technology.
See Open Call
- Telemark kunstsenter & Vestfold kunstsenter:
31 August - 4 September in Skien.
Focusing on artist duos.
See Open Call
- Bærum Kunsthall:
Dates TBA.
Focusing on drawing as an art form.
See Open Call - Kunstbanken:
April in Hamar.
Focusing on performance art, but open to other project ideas.
See Open Call
Open Call: Design and Architecture
- ROM for kunst og arkitektur:
April - September in Oslo.
Focusing on projects exploring sustainability and accessibility, but open to all projects within the design and architecture fields.
See Open Call
