All modern art museums to visit in Norway

Experience the dynamic world of modern art at 17 museums in Norway. These museums showcase modern works that push the boundaries of creativity and expression.

Are you passionate about music and its history? Are you a fan of contemporary creativity? These are the modern art museums you should visit in Norway:

  1. Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art1

    Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

     Oslo
    The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, located in Oslo, Norway, is a privately owned contemporary art gallery. It was established and opened to the public in 1993, making it a relatively recent addition to the city's cultural scene. The museum is known for its collection of modern and contemporary art, and it has become a significant cultural institution in Norway.
  2. The Tromsø Gallery of Contemporary Art2

    The Tromsø Gallery of Contemporary Art

     Tromsø
    The Tromsø Art Association, known as Tromsø Kunstforening in Norwegian, has a rich history dating back to 1877. It has been in continuous operation since 1924, making it one of the oldest cultural institutions in Tromsø. This long-standing presence in the city's cultural scene has allowed it to become a significant reference point for art in Northern Norway.
  3. Lillehammer Art Museum3

    Lillehammer Art Museum

     Lillehammer
    The Lillehammer Art Museum boasts three main collections. The first collection consists of over 100 paintings from the Matisse school, donated by the museum's founder, Einar Lunde, in the 1920s. The second collection was donated by antique dealer Oscar Johannesen in 1958 and includes a wide range of 19th-century pieces. The third and most recent collection was donated by Jon Dobloug in 2008, featuring 159 paintings from the 1980s and 1990s.
  4. Munch Museum4

    Munch Museum

     Oslo
    The Munch Museum, also known as Munch since 2020, is an art museum located in Bjørvika, Oslo, Norway. The museum is dedicated to showcasing the life and works of the renowned Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch. It provides a comprehensive insight into Munch's artistic journey and his significant contributions to the world of art.
  5. Northern Norwegian Art Museum5

    Northern Norwegian Art Museum

     Tromsø
    The Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum, a visual arts museum in Northern Norway, holds a significant role in the region's cultural landscape. Established in 1985, the museum moved to its current location in Tromsø in 2001. The building, originally designed by architect Søren Andreas Wiese-Opsahl in 1917, has a rich history, having served as a post and telegraph office and later as a police station.
  6. National Gallery6

    National Gallery

     Oslo
    The National Gallery of Norway, situated in Oslo, is a significant part of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. Since 2003, it has been a part of this larger institution, offering visitors a comprehensive look at Norwegian and international art, architecture, and design.
  7. The National Museum – Architecture7

    The National Museum – Architecture

     Oslo
    The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, located in Oslo, Norway, was established in 2003. It is a result of the merger of five institutions: the National Gallery of Oslo, founded in 1836, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, in 1876, the Riksutstillinger (1953), the National Museum of Architecture (1975) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (1988).
  8. The Art Nouveau Centre & the Art Museum KUBE8

    The Art Nouveau Centre & the Art Museum KUBE

     Ålesund
    The Jugendstilsenteret, located in Ålesund, is a part of the Stiftelsen Kulturkvartalet. It was established under the leadership of Thor W. Bjørlo and was officially inaugurated by the Norwegian queen Sonja on June 6, 2003. This historical context adds to the cultural significance of the center.
  9. Southern Norway Art Museum9

    Southern Norway Art Museum

     Kristiansand
    The Sørlandet Art Museum is not just a repository of art, but also a platform for promoting interest, knowledge, and competence in visual arts, crafts, and other visual forms of expression. The museum's collection includes both art and crafts, offering visitors a comprehensive view of the region's artistic heritage.
  10. Sogn og Fjordane Art Museum10

    Sogn og Fjordane Art Museum

     Førde
    The Sogn og Fjordane Art Museum, situated in Førde, Norway, has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1987. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the region, offering visitors a chance to explore a wide range of art collections.
  11. National Museum of Decorative Arts11

    National Museum of Decorative Arts

     Trondheim
    The Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum houses a wide range of collections of both older and newer crafts. Approximately 15% of these collections are displayed in the museum's premises located in Munkegata. This provides visitors with a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of decorative arts.
  12. Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum12

    Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum

     Ørje
    Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum is a museum that provides insights into the cultural and natural history associated with the Halden watercourse. It is situated in Ørje, a part of the Marker municipality in Østfold county. This location is rich in both cultural and natural heritage, making it an interesting destination for tourists interested in history and nature.
  13. Kunstbanken13

    Kunstbanken

     Hamar
    Kunstbanken Hedmark Kunstsenter is a unique institution in Norway, owned by Bildende Kunstnere Hedmark, Norske Kunsthåndverkere Øst-Norge, and Hedmark county municipality. This collaboration between artist organizations and the county municipality is unique for a Norwegian art institution. The Kunstbanken is located in the old Norges Bank building in the center of Hamar, at Parkgata 21.
  14. Haugar art museum14

    Haugar art museum

     Tønsberg
    Haugar Art Museum, often simply referred to as Haugar, is an art museum located in Tønsberg in Vestfold and Telemark. The museum primarily exhibits Norwegian contemporary art. It offers a diverse and extensive annual exhibition program, featuring constantly changing exhibitions of both older art and contemporary art from both Norway and abroad.
  15. Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall15

    Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall

     Arendal
    Bomuldsfabriken Kunsthall is an art gallery situated in Arendal, a city in Aust-Agder county. The gallery was inaugurated in 1994 and has since become a recognized institution in the art world. Its location in Arendal makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the region.
  16. Ingebrigt Vik museum16

    Ingebrigt Vik museum

     Øystese
    Ingebrigt Vik, born in the village of Øystese, is recognized as one of Norway's greatest sculptors from the early 20th century. His journey as an artist began in his father's factory as a wood carver, later training at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and the Académie Colarossi in Paris. His works are celebrated and displayed in various locations, including the National Gallery of Norway and the Ingebrigt Vik Museum in his hometown.
  17. Holmsbu picture gallery17

    Holmsbu picture gallery

     Holmsbu
    Holmsbu Billedgalleri, also known as Stiftelsen Holmsbu Billedgalleri Henrik Sørensens samlinger, is a foundation that owns an art museum in Holmsbu, located in the Asker municipality. The museum was originally owned by Hurum municipality and was established in 1963. It is home to a collection of paintings by Henrik Sørensen, Thorvald Erichsen, and Oluf Wold-Thorne, as well as a selection of Henrik Sørensen's collection of faience, antiques, and books.