Support Scheme for International Craft Projects

The purpose of the scheme is to provide active craft artists, duojárat, and other professionals from Norway with more international opportunities and a broader international network.

You can apply for this scheme if you work in the field of crafts and are:
– an active craft artist or duoját
– part of an artist group
– a curator
– a writer/critic

Applicants must be Norwegian citizens or residents of Norway, and the project must be realised abroad.

Sole proprietorships with an organisation number can apply for funding under this scheme.

You cannot apply on behalf of or as a representative of:
– exhibition venues
– institutions
– other organisers

Support can be granted for exhibitions and participation in international fairs, biennials, triennials, or other important arenas for crafts/duodji. Support is only given to projects that are open to a public audience.

Support can be provided for:

– transport, packaging, and insurance

– dissemination material (physical and/or digital publications, films, and photos) intended to promote Norwegian crafts/duodji internationally

– participation fees or rental fees for exhibition spaces at exhibitions and fairs

– travel and accommodation if the applicant has an active role*

– material costs for producing new works

– material costs for producing exhibition architecture or materials

*An active role means that the applicant (artist/duojár/curator/critic) presents their own artistic practice or the Norwegian crafts field in an artist presentation, artist talk, panel debate, or lecture. The need to install or dismantle an exhibition constitutes an active role, as does installing site-specific artworks.

Support cannot be provided for:

– projects taking place in Norway or in countries subject to travel advisories from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

– projects produced by Norwegian Crafts and/or the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or for projects in which they are a partner

– study, residencies, teaching, or research

– projects already started or completed

– projects already applied for and assessed

– dissemination material only in Norwegian or intended solely for the Norwegian market

– remuneration for working hours, administration, or project management

– rent, electricity, etc.

Applications are assessed by an expert committee appointed by Norwegian Crafts. The director of Norwegian Crafts chairs the committee. The committee consists of four members and one observer. The four members have expertise from the crafts field. Norwegian Crafts may bring in additional experts if needed. A representative from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs participates as an observer with speaking rights.

When assessing each application, the committee places emphasis on:

– projects of high artistic quality and relevance

– projects at important international arenas

– applicants who can demonstrate a long-term strategy for their international presence

– how well the project aligns with the purpose of the scheme

Additional considerations include:

– justification for the need for funding

– whether reports and accounts from previous projects have been submitted

The committee reviews all applications and uses its collective expertise to decide which projects will receive funding. Applications are assessed both individually and in relation to other applications in the same round. Decisions are made by vote, with the chair holding a casting vote.

Applications must be submitted through the portal: grants.norwegianartsabroad.no.

The application must include a description of the project, what the funding is applied for, and the requested amount.

Required attachments:

– CV

– copy of exhibition or letter of intent with the venue, clearly stating which costs are covered by the organiser

– quotes or estimates for the expenses applied for

– for publications or larger catalogues: a signed contract or letter of intent with a publisher, along with a clear and concrete plan for international promotion and distribution

Once the application has been submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt by email and in the application portal. Applications are assigned a project number, which must be provided when contacting the scheme.

Decision and acceptance:
Once the committee has processed the application, the applicant will receive a decision letter in the portal stating whether the project has been granted support or not.

If support is granted, the amount and conditions are specified in the letter. The applicant must accept the grant within the deadline stated.

Payment of funding:
The decision letter contains instructions for payment.

Support is earmarked for the specific project and cannot be transferred to other projects.

If the project does not take place after payment, the applicant must immediately notify Norwegian Crafts and return the full amount.

Payments to individuals are reportable under tax law. The Office of the Auditor General reserves the right to audit the use of funds.

Applications may be administratively rejected if they fall outside the purpose of the scheme.

Granted funding will be published on Norwegian Crafts’ website and in annual reports.

Applicants must acknowledge support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Crafts in all external communication and marketing. Logos can be downloaded from Norwegian Crafts' website under “Logos.”

Recipients are encouraged to contact the Norwegian embassy/consulate in the country where the project takes place, so it can be announced on their websites/The Norway Portal. Embassies may assist in raising awareness of the project. Contact information is available at norway.info.

Recipients must submit a report and accounts no later than two months after the project’s end date, to verify that funds were used according to guidelines. Applicants will be notified by email and in the portal when the report form is ready.