Top 9 Art Museums in Northern Norway, Northern Norway

Gallery Lofoten has Norway’s largest collection of paintings from Northern Norway dating back to the turn of the last century – a period by many called the golden age of North Norwegian painting. On the gallery’s ground floor you find a collection of paintings by renowned artists like Otto Sinding, Gunnar Berg, Even Ulving, Adelsteen Normann, Einar Berger, Ole Juul, Thorolf Holmboe and others. The gallery’s first floor is divided into two sections – one exhibiting watercolours by Lars Lerin and one exhibiting pictures and ceramic works by Her Majesty Queen Sonja. In the gallery shop you find a selection of art books, postcards, and posters by the exhibition’s artists. In our café you may enjoy a glass of wine and a cheese platter from the local cheese producer Aalan Farm.

Themes from Tromso's past and present. Challenging temporary exhibits in a magnificent villa from 1838. Documentary photo exhibits. Operates the Folkeparken open air museum

Lille Kabelvåg art galley and museum isn’t quite as little as its name would lead you to believe. Spread over 600 square meters, the exhibition space displaying works by more than 200 artists, the Gallery & Museum is one of Lofoten’s largest private art galleries. The gallery was founded by the artist couple Inger Anne Nyaas and Thor Erdahl in 2006. In the gallery you find their work. Inger Anne Nyaas is a textile artist, and by her own admission, enjoys challenging the traditional understanding of the artistic arena. Thor Erdahl is a painter and graphic artist, and renowned for depicting motifs from nature by using large formats, simple shapes and vibrant colours. He grew up in Kabelvåg, and is held in high regard as one of the region’s most eminent artists. In 2014, the gallery opened the object and art exhibition Kunst i motbakke (Uphill Art), a large installation incorporating elements from archaeology, history, graphic design, photography and arts and crafts.

The North Cape Museum is a local heritage museum which presents the local history from the Stone Age to modern times. The permanent exhibition goes over two floors and focuses on the development of the local society in an international context. The various themes in our permanent exhibition touches upon several topics, such as the destruction of Honningsvåg and Finnmark during WW II and the reconstruction of the town during the late 40's and the early 50's.

Gallery Espolin houses a master of Norwegian art. Immerse yourself in artist Kaare Espolin Johnson's expressive power and explore the region's dramatic history, and the life and destiny of coastal peoples. Wander around the beautiful halls and rooms filled with Espolin's work. The gallery also features a fine art shop, a film, and exhibitions by guest artists.

The Sámi Museum in Karasjok - De Samiske Samlinger/Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat - was established in 1972 as the first Sámi museum in Norway, and is today the largest Sámi museum in Norway. The aim of establishing the museum was to promote Sámi culture and to reinforce the Sámi people's status as an ethnic group. In the outdoor museum there are Sámi buildings, among them a unique agricultural smallholding and a several thousand year old hunting pit construction for hunting wild reindeer. We have one of the world's largest collections of traditional Sámi clothing. In the exhibitions you can see examples of Sámi clothing traditions from different areas and time periods. Sámiid Vuorká-Dávvirat / De Samiske Samlinger shows from the collection of Sámi contemporary art, an impressive collection that comprises almost 1400 items managed by RiddoDuottarMuseat. A new building to house the Art Collection is under development. Opening Hours - see website rdm.no

Davvi albmogiid guovddas / Center og Northern Peoples is a cultural center and Indigenous center with the High North and Sapmi as a work area. Here you can visit The Museum for Northern Peoples, The Riddu Riđđu Fesival, Sea Sami kitichen, our summer cafe, Gift Store and more.