LIVSKUNST Receives 4.25 million from the Kavli Foundation.
The Kavli Foundation is supporting the launch of LIVSKUNST – Life Skills through Art. The funding covers the first 18 months of the project’s development and pilot phase and provides an important foundation for developing and testing the model before the project moves into its next phase.
LIVSKUNST is a multi-year development and research project led by Audhild Wessman at Kilden performing arts centre, and will be carried out in collaboration with the City of Kristiansand, participating schools, and the University of Agder. The research component is led by Eva Mari Andreasen, who is the research director at Kilden performing arts centre and is affiliated with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Agder.
The goal is to develop, test, and refine a model for how art can be integrated into everyday school life and provide students with opportunities for artistic expression. The project will also generate knowledge about how artistic practice can contribute to the school’s efforts to promote well-being, social and emotional competence, quality of life, and an inclusive community.
The project is aimed at 5th-grade students. Throughout the school year, students at the participating schools will take part in weekly arts activities in music, dance, drama, and creative writing. The classes are taught by professional artists in close collaboration with the school’s teachers.
– If we are to build strong communities and a vibrant democracy, we must also develop the ability to imagine others’ perspectives and possible futures. This is precisely what art trains us to do. Through creative processes, children get to practice curiosity, empathy, and creative thinking. These are qualities we need more of, both in school and in society,” says Audhild Wessman, project manager for LIVSKUNST.
Art as a Space for Community
LIVSKUNST is based on the fundamental idea that art gives people the opportunity to express themselves, explore their own ideas, and experience a sense of belonging. Through collaborative artistic processes, students will gain experience in cooperation, creative expression, and active participation.
The educational model is based on three principles: Every student should feel a sense of belonging, every student should experience a sense of accomplishment, and every student should be able to contribute their own ideas and forms of expression.
The project comes at a time when there is a great deal of attention focused on the pressure to perform, social exclusion, and mental health among children and young people. At the same time, practical and aesthetic subjects are often given limited attention in the school day.
An Investment in Lasting Change
For the Kavli Foundation, it was precisely this combination of artistic quality, a foundation in research, and a long-term perspective that was decisive in awarding the grant.
“We know that art is an effective tool for building a sense of community and creating a space where more people feel they belong. LIVSKUNST does this systematically, over time, and in collaboration with schools. It’s a combination we believe in,” says Ingrid Paasche, executive director of the Kavli Foundation.
The project is not only intended to provide students with new experiences. Teachers will actively participate in the instruction and develop their own expertise in arts-based learning methods. The goal is for these methods to continue to be used in schools long after the project period has ended.
“What I particularly like about LIVSKUNST is the combination of academic rigor and a realistic plan for long-term sustainability. Many projects are good as long as the funding lasts. This one is designed to become an integral part of the school,” says Rune Mørland, grant manager for Norway at the Kavli Foundation.
Research will help further develop LIVKUNST
The research component is led by Eva Mari Andreasen, who is the research director at Kilden performing arts centre and is affiliated with the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Agder.
In the first phase, the researchers will closely monitor the pilot program and talk with students, teachers, school administrators, and art educators along the way. The goal is to learn from these experiences and gain insight into what fosters participation, a sense of security, and an inclusive community.
The findings will be used to further develop LIVSKUNST so that the model becomes relevant and feasible for schools.
With additional funding, the goal is to expand the research to include more schools and track the students' progress over time.
The goal is to develop a research-based model that, in the long term, can be adopted by more schools and municipalities in Norway.
During the project period, students participating in LIVSKUNST will also contribute to “Den store sangfesten” at Kilden, where all of Kristiansand’s fifth-graders will gather at “ konsertsalen ” together with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra. Work created by the students throughout the year will be included as part of the performance.
“LIVSKUNST is about more than just art. It’s about giving children the opportunity to create, express themselves, feel a sense of belonging, and grow together with others,” says Audhild Wessman.
Facts About LIVSKUNST
- Three-year development and research project (2026–2029)
- Led by Kilden in collaboration with the Municipality of Kristiansand and the University of Agder
- The target audience is 5th-grade students
- Students receive three hours of art instruction each week throughout the school year
- The Kavli Foundation is providing 4.25 million kroner in support of the project
- Aims to develop knowledge about how art can enhance life skills, relationships, and a sense of community in schools