Support for cultural initiatives
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Even events without a primary focus on academic or educational content have many places to apply. The Norwegian Cultural Council, Oslo Municipality, Frifond, LNU, Norsk Musikkråd, and the Action Package are the largest and most common for student associations in Oslo.
An important thing to note about Frifond, LNU, and Norsk Musikkråd is that they use the same main page, støtteordninger.no, as an overview of the different main institutions and their focus. Despite this, the three pages each have their own portal that you must log in through in order to apply from them. Because of this, for example, mail from LNU will not be visible if you log in through Frifond's portal even though they look the same and are built on the same page.
Applications are processed on an ongoing basis. You cannot apply for support for events that take place less than eight weeks in advance. This is one of three support schemes from the Oslo Municipality listed in this document. For more information about the award, see here
All types of initiatives are supported, as long as they are open and public-oriented and that professional actors are involved. See the files under the “Awards” section for information on recipients and amounts.
This is one of three support schemes from the Municipality of Oslo that are listed in this document. For more information about the administrator, see here
The maximum application amount for 2025 is NOK 12,000. You cannot apply if you receive support from the Ongoing grants for art and cultural initiatives. The support mainly goes to concerts under voluntary management and applicants must be organizations, teams, associations
Application deadline: May 15 and June 1
This is one of fifteen support schemes under støtteordninger.no that are listed in this document. For more information about them, see here
Frifond Musikk grants support only once a year to each group with the following amounts as maximum application amounts.
Band: 6,000 kroner
Larger groups: 10,000 kroner
Festival or concert: 35,000 kroner
Here, the central level of nationwide organizations can apply for between 50,000 kroner and 300,000 kroner for new cultural projects. Approximately four million kroner is awarded each year in this support scheme, where application deadlines take place twice a year.
Cultural projects can include music, dance, drama, art, literature, film, cultural heritage, digital culture, games or more of these. Elements that give increased priority are that it has transfer value to new members in one's own or another organization, and that it emphasizes the influence of children and young people in cultural work.
This is one of fifteen support schemes under støtteordninger.no that are listed in this document. For more information about them, please see here
Choirs and other organizers of choir concerts can apply for both concert support (deadline March 15 and September 15) and production and operating support (deadline October 15).
This is one of fifteen support schemes under støtteordninger.no that are listed in this document. For more information about them, please see here
Scroll down the page and find your relevant county music council. Each of them has its own deadlines for their schemes.
This support scheme awards a maximum of NOK 10,000 to each applicant for open events in Oslo, with music as the main element. All applicants who meet the criteria on the page will be granted the support.
Application deadlines occur twice a year; January 15 and August 15, with a processing time of 6-8 weeks.
This support scheme awards 14,000 kroner in start-up support for choirs, and 21,000 kroner for orchestras. Applications are submitted via an online form, and must be submitted in the same calendar year as the choir or orchestra starts up.
Only unorganized groups should apply directly to the Oslo Music Council through this scheme. If the group is a member of Ung i Kor Oslo, Korpsnett, Sangerforum Oslo, UNOF Oslo, NMF Øst, Ung kirkesang Øst, Norges Korforbund Oslo-Akershus, or Østnorsk jazzsenter, it is intended that they should apply directly to these parent organizations.
The application deadline is March 15 each year.
Application deadline: varies from scheme to scheme
The Kulturrådet has many different grant schemes that you can apply from. These are mainly aimed at performing arts and music.
Application deadlines: February 15th and September 15th
This scheme focuses on projects that would not be possible to implement if they did not receive their support. The project must create lasting positive change within either children and youth, music and culture, health and research, climate action, or impact investment.
Application Deadlines: Processed continuously according to board meetings
This endowment focuses mostly on various areas related to health and culture, which you can read more about here.
Application Deadline: Processed continuously
The Schiebler Foundation supports socially beneficial and cultural initiatives, and supports projects with a primary focus on social and cultural initiatives.
Application Deadline: October 27
The Bergesen Foundation supports cultural and humanitarian projects.