Local Communities Programme
KORO’s project funding for public art projects
About the funding scheme
KORO’s Local Communities Programme (LOK) is a funding scheme that aims to stimulate the production of art projects in public spaces and to contribute to professional development in the field, locally, regionally and nationally.
We support projects with high artistic and professional ambitions that build expertise and new knowledge, with relevance on a national and international level.
The scheme supports all types of artistic practice in public spaces, particularly those that enhance public discourse and that contribute to increased diversity of artistic expressions and forms of production. We are especially open to projects that show a willingness to experiment and innovate.
We also support projects that link different professional fields and disciplines, including art projects connected to urban development and placemaking processes.
Art projects and initiatives to develop knowledge
The scheme funds both art projects and initiatives to develop knowledge and competence.
I. Art projects
The Local Communities Programme is designed to stimulate the production of public art projects and contribute to professional development within the field locally, regionally and nationally.
You can apply for funding of art projects in public spaces, including:
- Production of art projects
- Development of art production (pre-project)
- Support from a producer and/or curator from KORO
- Artists
- Curators
- Municipalities*
- Counties*
*Municipalities and counties must involve relevant artistic expertise in the preparation of their applications.
Support from a producer and/or curator affiliated with KORO can be sought through the program. The producer and curator from KORO assists multiple projects simultaneously, and allocations are based on available capacity in KORO. The use of allocated producer/curator support is specified and agreed upon in each individual case in dialogue with the recipient.
Examples of what a producer/curator from KORO can provide include:
- Establishing contact with relevant collaborators
- Practical advice on the production of art projects in public spaces
- Professional dialogue during the project development phase
- Support in generating public engagement and discourse
- Planning and programming of side events
- Projects that fall outside the scope of the programme
- Projects in receipt of grants from other state funds
- General running costs
- Covering deficits
- Residency or travel-related expenses
- Projects run by state-funded art institutions or museums
- Art projects that are not publicly accessible
- Art projects that are installed or take place outside Norway
- Projects where the applicant has failed to submit one or more final reports (for previous projects) to KORO
- Top-up funding
- Student projects
As a rule, KORO does not support projects that only take place abroad. For support for such projects, please contact the Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) and Norwegian Crafts.
II. Initiatives to develop knowledge and competence
Support can also be granted for projects that promote the development of expertise and new knowledge in the field of art in public spaces. This scheme is primarily aimed at professionals at regional and local levels.
Examples of eligible activities include:
- Lectures
- Courses
- Conferences
- Publications
In the assessment of applications, the following are taken into account: Local needs; level of professionalism and relevance for other actors in the field.
- Artists
- Curators
- Municipalities
- Counties
- Art centers and other actors in the field of art in public spaces
Two committees review the applications
The two committees will ensure diversity in the art projects, high quality and the best possible geographical representation. Both committees comprise of external artists and internal experts from KORO.
In 2026, the committee consists of Sanjey Sureshkumar (external), Hedda Bremseth (external), Bo Krister Wallström (curator and producer, KORO) and Truls Ramberg (curator, KORO).
In 2026, the committee consists of Marie Nerland (external), Ingeborg Annie Lindahl (external), Elise Cosme da Silva Hoedemakers (project manager, KORO), Bo Krister Wallström (curator and producer, KORO) og Truls Ramberg (curator, KORO).
Practical information about the scheme
- There is one application deadline per year
- The application deadline for 2026 is Friday January 30, 2026 at 1 pm (CET)
- The allocation framework for 2026 is NOK 13.4 million
- All applicants receive a written reply from KORO
- The allocations will be published on our website, and the processing time is normally 8 weeks
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Guidelines for the Local Communities Programme
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Guidelines for grant recipients
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Final report for grant recipients
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KORO's Privacy Statement
Questions
For assistance with completing the application:
- Email post(at)koro.no or call +47 22 99 11 99
For questions about grant criteria and application content:
- Artists and curators: Contact Bo Krister Wallstrøm at bw(at)koro.no
- Municipalities/counties: Contact Elise Cosme da Silva Hoedemakers at ech(at)koro.no
Please contact
Main image: The new Ibsen Library in Skien Municipality received support through KORO’s LOK scheme in 2025. Edvine Larssen, Pust, 2015. © Edvine Larssen. Photo: Gunnar Holmstad/SALT.