Søknad er adressert til: Longyearbyen Lokalstyre
We ask Longyearbyen Local Council to develop a concrete plan for the artists, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that will lose their workspaces when the lease of Spitsbergen Artists Center expires in 2027.
We also ask the Local Council to explore all realistic alternatives, including external funding opportunities, before cultural and creative activity is permanently displaced from Nybyen.8
This petition is about people, jobs, and opportunities in Longyearbyen.
Today, the building that houses Spitsbergen Artists Center provides affordable studios and workshops for seven local businesses and four independent artists. These spaces support local entrepreneurship, artistic production, tourism-related businesses, and community life.
When the lease expires in 2027, these businesses and artists risk losing their workplaces. At present, there are no known affordable alternatives in Longyearbyen that can accommodate everyone affected.
Over the last two years, the center has also become an important cultural venue. Since 2025, it has hosted more than 100 artists from over 25 countries, organized more than 70 exhibitions and events, and welcomed around 5,000 visitors annually. The center has contributed to Longyearbyen's cultural life, tourism, international visibility, and attractiveness as a place to live and work.
The decision to sell the building has already been made. However, the future of the people and activities currently based there remains unresolved.
We therefore ask Longyearbyen Local Council to ensure that local artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small businesses are not left without solutions when the lease expires. We also ask that all available opportunities for preserving affordable creative workspaces in Longyearbyen are properly explored.
As Longyearbyen continues its transition beyond the mining era, supporting local initiative, creativity, and small businesses should be part of building a resilient and diverse community for the future.
Underskriftskampanje startet:
10.06.2026
Innsamlingen avsluttes:
09.12.2026
Region:
Longyearbyen
kategori:
Kultur
Having spent time at the Spitsbergen Artists Center as a guest artist and recently exhibiting my work there, I have seen firsthand how important this place is. It is far more than a building—it is a vital artist-run hub that brings together artists, residents, businesses, and visitors from around the world. The loss of this extraordinary creative space would be a devastating blow to Longyearbyen's cultural life and the future of artistic activity in the High Arctic.
Ingen KONTRA-argument ennå.
Artist residencies provide the invaluable gift of time and space to create art, connect with international colleagues and learn about new cultures, people and places. I have spent two weeks with the Arctic Circle Residency followed by two weeks at the Spitsbergen Artists Centre. This has given me time to process the experience of being on the ship and to put that information into context. I have participated in over a dozen international artist residencies and know how valuable they are to the artists AND to the communities. Host communities benefit from international exchanges through artist talks, presentations and workshops. Visiting artists put money into the local economy, especially supporting local artists, eating and shopping locally and using local tourist facilities and tours.
The whole community of Longyearbyen loses when they choose to close Spitsbergen Artist Centre. Not only the local and visiting artists lose, but the greater community loses too. Please reconsider this decision or find alternatives that would continue to grow the arts community through providing work space for local artists and businesses, as well as hosting the international arts community through the residency program.
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