Celebrating and investing in diversity initiatives
A cultural scene for everyone
Last week, my feed was filled with news of arts organisations in the US being forced to close their diversity initiatives. This week, diversity policies and programmes are being blamed for plane crashes.
No doubt each week of the new US presidency will bring a new enraging headline.
But I’m not going to let the T-word trespass in my sacred Substack space. I set up this blog to be able to share all the things I love and all the things that make me feel alive.
So, I’m happy to bring you a press release celebrating the awesome cultural diversity, equality, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability work that my sister Eva is doing as leader of Bergen Kjøtt, a creative production house and cultural venue in a former (1900s) margarine and meat factory (Kjøtt = meat) in Bergen, Norway. The venue has just received major investment from Sparebanken Vest, one of the largest banks in Norway, to continue this important and necessary work.
As the original press release from the bank is in Norwegian, I’ve Google-translated it and English-edited it, so that you can ‘read all about it’. At the end, I’ve also included the video sharing what the investment will mean (the vid includes Eva speaking Norwegian, which is hugely impressive to me).
5 million for Bergen Kjøtt
Now the capacity can be doubled!
Bergen Kjøtt receives 5 million [c. £356,000] to realise its vision of a national cultural centre for diversity, sound technology and sustainability.
The funds will contribute to upgrading the iconic building and establishing a sustainable cultural scene in Fabrikkhallen [the event space], which will accommodate 500 people – doubling the current capacity. This development will give Bergen Kjøtt greater opportunities to organise more events and bigger events with universal access.
“The gift of 5 million kroner will ensure a more sustainable economy for Bergen Kjøtt, among other things by maximising the potential of the event space. With greater capacity, they can organise more and larger events, which will increase their income over time”, says Jan-Tore Smith, assistant bank manager and consumer economist at Sparebanken Vest.
Diverse and inclusive cultural environment
Bergen Kjøtt is one of Norway’s largest cultural centres and serves as a hub for music and music production. In addition to the Fabrikkhallen, which is used for events, the centre houses 28 studios with over 100 tenants, including DJs, bands, music producers and composers.
Now they want to expand and develop more offerings so that even more people can take part in the cultural environment in Bergen.
“We want to support an experimental, diverse and inclusive cultural environment in Bergen”, says Eva Rowson, daglig leader [general manager] of Bergen Kjøtt.
In the old factory premises, they actively work to promote diversity in audio engineering and technology, including through the training programme GRIP. The programme is the only one of its kind in Norway, and offers education for women, non-binary and transgender people in audio engineering.
“Diversity opens more doors and provides more opportunities to participate in culture and society. This way we can make Bergen a more inclusive, colourful and creative city, while also contributing to increased capabilities”, says Rowson.
She adds that the focus on skills development will contribute to a sustainable workforce and create new role models in the industry.
A cultural scene for everyone
Bergen Kjøtt has great ambitions to expand its audience base and create an even more inclusive and accessible cultural scene in Western Norway. They have already received recognition for their work with accessibility and won Bergen city council’s ‘City for All’ award in 2024. Now they want to develop further.
“We are particularly impressed by how Bergen Kjøtt combines practical courses with cultural production. Here amateurs and professionals meet, and you can receive training from some of the best in the industry. This is unique in Bergen and something we are really passionate about”, concludes Jan-Tore.
Through a combination of practical upgrades and targeted inclusion projects, Bergen Kjøtt wants to attract a wider audience.
“Bergen Kjøtt is a partner we have supported for several years. They have become a melting pot and a very important player in the cultural city of Bergen. This gift is for the entire place – and an investment in a diverse cultural life that enriches both Bergen and the rest of Western Norway”, says Jan-Tore.
An arena for inclusion, sustainability and collaboration
Sparebanken Vest’s vision is to make life in Western Norway better, and in 2024, the bank distributed over 248 million kroner to more than 1,800 projects in Western Norway.
As a cultural arena that combines inclusion, sustainability and collaboration, Bergen Kjøtt fulfils all of the bank’s focus areas: inclusion, vibrant local environments and sustainability.
“The project unites our strategic focus areas and shows how culture and business can work together for an inclusive future. This is a gift to cultural life in Bergen, and we look forward to following the development”, says Giske Eggen, responsible for social responsibility.
Bergen Kjøtt will become an important arena for both cultural life and technological innovation, and the support from Sparebanken Vest marks a significant step towards realising the ambitious vision.
Nå kan kapasiteten dobles! | Sparebanken Vest
I really enjoyed Eva’s Norwegian too - most impressive!