Oslo Open: Atelier weekend bringing art to the people

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, Oslo Open is a vibrant and dynamic art weekend devoted to contemporary art. The independent event sees a wide range of artists open their ateliers and workspaces to the public, allowing visitors insight into the creative process and hidden art spaces of the city.

Featuring artists in the expansive fields of visual arts and contemporary crafts, Oslo Open is always an anticipated event. Every year, more than 400 artists open their doors to receive around 15,000 visitors over the course of two days, providing an informal glimpse behind the scenes of how artworks are made.

At Oslo Open, the artists are present to welcome guests and talk about their work, providing insight into the artistic process, tools and materials. “Art is an important space for freedom and exploration,” says director Frida Rusnak. “Oslo Open offers an exciting journey of discovering the city’s hidden artistic spaces and the creative process of local artists.”

This year’s edition celebrates 25 years of open artist studios, kicking off with an anniversary party on Friday 25 April at Kunstnernes Hus (The Artists’ House) in the heart of the city. The program for the following two days is packed, with guided tours of artist spaces as well as workshops, activities, and demonstrations led by the artists.

With the goal of creating a meeting point between art and the public, Oslo Open is free and open to anyone. “A key focus of ours is making art accessible,” Rusnak says. “For some people, art is unfamiliar. Being able to visit an artist’s atelier where they share their process and unfinished work is more intimate than going to a gallery – it can help demystify art.”

While some artists have been part of the annual event since its beginning, the organisers also value working with new and emerging artists. About 25 per cent of artists opening their spaces to the public are new to Oslo Open. “For a lot of them, Oslo Open is an opportunity to showcase artistic activity across the city, meet new audiences and strengthen their professional network,” says Rusnak.

Oslo Open has free programmes for young people, families with children, and adults. The multilingual tours are popular, with artists and art students guiding people to different artists and spaces across the city. While the concept of a city-wide open atelier weekend started in Oslo, it has since spread to other Norwegian cities and similar festivals take place in Trondheim, Bergen, Tromsø, and Stavanger.

Web: osloopen.no
Facebook: Oslo Open
Instagram: @osloopen

Oslo Open, 25-27 April 2025
• Founded by artists in 2000
• Discover 400 artists
• Artist studios across Oslo
• Free and open to all