2024 was a year full of highlights for Kilden performing arts centre . With over 187,000 visitors—the highest attendance since 2017—and a total of 1.1 million digital visitors, we have truly felt a high level of engagement from both our in-person and digital audiences. This reflects not only increased interest in what we do, but also a year filled with artistic highlights and broad appeal.

Kilden’s vision is to “move and inspire together,” in part through unique projects that span various art forms. Kilden is unique because we have an orchestra, a theater, an opera company, and a cultural center all within the same organization. Kunstsilo and the Knuden cultural school are good neighbors. This opens up opportunities! A total of 12 cross-art-form productions were staged in 2024, including the performance “The Infernal Comedy” with John Malkovich and the critically acclaimed “Oedipus/Antigone,” hailed by national media as one of the best of the year. Artistically, 2024 was characterized by great diversity and many unique collaborative projects. “The Future Now,” which combines music and visual art, marked the significant artistic collaboration between the “ Kilden ” and Kunstsilo. Musical successes such as “Grease” and the further development of inclusive projects have helped attract new audience groups to the venue. It is clear that Kilden’s role as a cultural hub for the entire Sørlandet region remains strong. We have also been active throughout the region, hosting 123 events across Agder.

After several challenging years marked by tight financial constraints and difficult priorities, 2024 has been a year in which the results of targeted efforts have begun to show. Kilden achieved solid financial results in 2024, with a net operating profit of 29.3 million kroner—a full 21.8 million kroner better than budgeted. The reported surplus is largely due to a combination of one-time effects and accruals resulting from the fact that Kilden must adhere to municipal accounting principles. After accounting for investments and allocations to restricted funds, NOK 13.5 million remains, which will be transferred to a fund to manage risk and future investment needs.

The strong financial results are primarily due to increased revenue from ticket sales and grants awarded in response to applications, interest income and winnings, grants received in 2024 for future productions, and deferred and reduced costs and accruals.

Ticket revenue increased by 18 percent from the previous year, to nearly 29.7 million. 2024 was a year with many highlights for the festival performing arts centre. With over 187,000 visitors—the highest attendance since 2017—and a total of 1.1 million digital viewers, we have truly felt a high level of engagement from both our in-person and digital audiences. This reflects not only increased interest in what we do, but also a year filled with artistic highlights and broad appeal.