New support strengthens operations and construction of Kloden theater
Before we wrap up another eventful year, we can share two pieces of good news! Kloden theatre has received a significant allocation from Kulturrom. In addition, we will receive 1 million kroner in increased operating support for 2026, recorded by SV and Rødt, after the budget negotiations last week. Together, these contributions strengthen the realization of our upcoming theatre house in Kabelgata.
In recent months, work on transforming the old cable factory at Økern has really picked up speed. The new theater building of over 3,000 square meters will accommodate two stages, four rehearsal rooms, a workshop for performing arts production and a number of flexible spaces – our “third place” for children and youth. When it opens in the first half of 2027, this will be the first national cultural institution in Oslo East.
In 2024, over 16,000 visitors visited Kloden theater, in addition to 1,300 participants in events, courses and youth programs. When the new building is completed, activity is expected to quadruple, attracting about 100,000 visitors annually.
Support for stage technical equipment from Kulturrom
Kloden The theatre will receive NOK 1,239,000 for technical equipment and infrastructure in three central rooms in the upcoming theatre building: the Workshop Room, Hall 3 and the Café Stage. These flexible common rooms will function as open meeting places for workshops, productions, concerts, readings, performances and low-threshold events.
Why does this award mean so much to Kloden theatre? You will find the answer in the interview below, taken from Kulturrom's press release about the award with Artistic Director Ådne Sekkelsten.
What will the grant mean for you, users and the local community?
– In the new theatre building, which we are currently building, there are several areas and rooms that are part of what we call the third place. In other words, the place between home and school or work, where we want to create a place for children and young people, a place they can take ownership of and help shape. Here there will be various activities such as workshops, concerts, readings and performances, but also space to retreat and just hang out. The grant we have now received from Kulturrom will now make these rooms much more versatile, and will ensure that children and young people have the opportunity to use them for performance and to create and experience within several genres, mainly theatre and dance, but also music and other live expressions. The rooms will now be better adapted for production, professional events and performance.
What plans do you have for the future?
– In November, work began on transforming the old cable factory here in Kabelgata into a theater, so now there are a lot of construction issues surrounding the detailed planning of what the theater will look like when it is completed in the first half of 2027. Everything from construction technology, design, material selection and everything that goes with it. At the same time, we will of course continue to operate the theater in our temporary premises with a wide range of offerings for children and youth throughout the year.
Why is it good to use existing buildings for culture?
-"I am very happy that Kloden Theater is being built in an old factory building. The name is an obligation, so ensuring that the climate footprint is as small as possible is something we are very concerned about. As a national stage for performing arts for children and young people, located in the middle of Norway's largest urban development area, it is also an important signal that not only will new buildings be built, but that much of the old industrial space is well suited to various transformations."
Not least, theater is about telling stories, saying something about the society around you, and being in a building with so many stories and a soul of its own gives Kloden theater an extra dimension.
-Adne Sekkelsten, Artistic Director
A strengthening of the framework conditions in the state budget for 2026
On Friday, the state budget was adopted, and several cultural initiatives received increased funding through the negotiations. This time too, the Socialist Left Party took the initiative to lift Kloden theatre's operating support, and received support from Rødd and the other budget partners.
The increase of NOK 1 million in the 2026 budget makes it possible to continue the necessary escalation towards the opening of the new theater house in 2027. The operating support is crucial for us to be able to expand production, offerings and presence in the local area, in parallel with the construction process.
On the way to a new theater house and a new everyday life
The transformation of the factory buildings in Kabelgata is now well underway. With increased operating support and important investments from Kulturrom, the foundation for creating a vibrant, inclusive and national arena for performing arts for children and young people is being strengthened.
We are grateful for the trust and support, and look forward to sharing more milestones in the coming year.
