The government cuts Kloden theatre with 3 million kroner

October 7, 2024

The cut threatens the future of Kloden Theatre.

In the presented state budget for 2025, the government has chosen to cut Kloden theatre by 3 million kroner. This is happening at the same time that no funds have been allocated for the planned construction project for a permanent theatre building, which would otherwise be ready for start-up next year. The cut puts Kloden The future of theatre is in a critical position.

The government had the opportunity to take responsibility and strengthen cultural offerings for children and youth, as well as to strengthen the independent performing arts field in Norway. Kloden The theatre could become a permanent central production and exhibition venue with associated facilities for the performing arts, something that is sorely lacking. Now the entire project is hanging by a thread.

- Ådne Sekkelsten, Artistic Director

Kloden The theatre, which is an important cultural institution in Oslo East – the country's largest development area – is completely dependent on government support for its theatre building. In 2023 alone, the theatre collaborated with 42 performing arts companies from across the country.

The developer, Oxer Eiendom, has already committed to covering two-thirds of the costs, while the City of Oslo has contributed up to NOK 22.5 million. All that's missing now is the final funding from the state to ensure the project's completion.

A significant cultural player in danger of disappearing

Kloden The theatre is located in temporary premises with full operation. The project is now in a crucial phase to build a permanent theatre house.

When the government chooses to cut NOK 3 million in operating support, it could lead to Kloden The theatre is losing its premises in Kabelgata. This means that a significant cultural player is disappearing from an area that the government itself has said it wants to prioritize, including in the Hurdal Platform.

Breaking all audience and collaboration records

On the activity side, 2024 has been a record year for Kloden theater. Already in October, the theater has had more audiences, performances, workshops, professional events, companies that have had a trial period in the premises and kindergartens, schools and AKS that have visited or received visits from the theater than the theater had in all of 2023.

Figures from 2024 (Jan - Oct):

11,428 audience members
238 performances/workshops/professional events
52 companies have had tests or other activities at Kloden theater
135 kindergarten departments, AKS or school classes have attended the performance at Kloden theater, or that Kloden theatre has come to kindergarten, AKS or school

Figures from 2023 (full year):

9161 audience members
170 performances/workshops/professional events
42 companies have had tests or other activities at Kloden theater
50 kindergarten departments, AKS or school classes have attended the performance at Kloden theater, or that Kloden theatre has come to kindergarten, AKS or school