Historic commitment to performing arts for children and young people
May 8, 2025
The grant to Kloden The theater and the construction of the theater house represent the largest single investment in performing arts for children and youth in Norwegian history.
After initially receiving 22.5 million kroner from the municipality of Oslo, Kloden theatre 58 million through the state grant scheme "Grants for national cultural buildings" in the state budget for 2025. The theatre is thus the first national cultural institution in Groruddalen. Teaterhuset Kloden The theater will open its doors in early 2027. The theater house will be 3,100 square meters in size and will include two stages, five rehearsal rooms and a large common area for children and youth.
"Children and young people in Groruddalen deserve this"
Member of Parliament and former deputy mayor of Oslo, Kamzy Gunaratnam (Ap), is herself from Rødtvedt. She expresses the following about that Kloden theatre becomes the first national cultural institution in Groruddalen:
The Labor Party shall be an important provider of the premise that art is accessible to everyone. Kloden Theatre is a fantastic facilitator in this area. Children and young people in Groruddalen deserve this.
– Kamzy Gunaratnam
– The need is obvious, but also documented through the 17,300 audiences on our own stages and at our performances elsewhere in the city in 2024. I look forward to opening the doors to a place that children and young people can use as their own, even outside of performances, says Artistic Director Ådne Sekkelsten.
More figures can be found in the annual report for Kloden theater 2024
Paving the way for cultural infrastructure
The lack of other theaters and community venues, and the reduced offerings at Rommen scene , mean that the new theater house Kloden theater becomes extra important. It is estimated that there will be at least 100,000 visitors and 70,000 audiences annually. Hopefully, the theater also paves the way for more cultural infrastructure in Dalen.
The need for cultural infrastructure, community arenas and services for children and youth in Groruddalen is great. Kloden Theatre becomes a "third place" for children and young people, the place between home and school. It becomes an open and inclusive place to meet, be part of creative processes and experience good performing arts.
– Ådne Sekkelsten
Kloden theatre is a national stage for performing arts for children and young people, presenting the best of the performing arts from home and abroad to the young audience. We offer a wide range of artistic expressions and make cultural life more relevant and accessible to underrepresented population groups – both as audiences and participants. We work to ensure that all young people, regardless of background and financial situation, can take part in the arts and cultural offer. Kloden The theater is located in Groruddalen in Oslo.
