The Fritt Ord Foundation's grants for critics, 2021-2022

July 6 2021

The Fritt Ord Foundation has now awarded its annual grants to critics. At NOK 200 000 each, the grants should result in a steady stream of reviews during the period from August 2021 to August 2022.

In response to 48 applications submitted by the deadline, Fritt Ord has awarded eleven grants for critics. The grants went to Espen Hauglid (art critic, Morgenbladet), Morten Ståle Nilsen (film and TV critic, VG), Gro Jørstad Nilsen (literary critic, Bergens Tidende), Johannes Grytnes (literary critic, Bergens Tidende), Ola Hegdal (literary critic, NRK), Marius Lien (music critic, Morgenbladet), Einar Aarvig (film and TV critic, Vårt Land), Live Kristianne Lundh (literary critic, Morgenbladet), Mari Grydeland (literary critic, Aftenposten), Anna Serafima Svendsen Kvam (literary critic, Stavanger Aftenblad) and Lars Elton (art critic, Dagsavisen).
Critics who write for daily and weekly media were given priority, although several of the critics mentioned above also write for journals, magazines, online publications and different niche media. The Foundation’s priorities are based on high quality and the critics’ future plans, and attention is devoted to achieving a good balance between the arts and culture when distributing the grants.
Established in 2015, Fritt Ord’s grant scheme is intended to help enhance the quality and professionalisation of reviews and criticism. The Foundation would like to give more critics better opportunities to pursue their profession and to spend more time cultivating it. The grants are intended to supplement other income from newspaper reviews. Read more here.

In addition to the annual grants for critics, Fritt Ord also supports this field in other ways. Daily and weekly media, and the critics who write reviews for them, can apply for funding for specific review projects in response to the call for proposals. Read more here. There are six ordinary deadlines for applications for this scheme each year. The next deadline is Friday, 6 August, at 3 p.m.
For more information, please contact Knut Olav Åmås by email at: knut.olav.amas@frittord.no

A complete list of the recipients of the Fritt Ord Foundation’s grants for critics is available in the grants database (choose “all years” and “category: grants for critics”). Read more about each year’s allocations here:
Recipients of grants for critics in 2015
Recipients of grants for critics in 2016
Recipients of grants for critics in 2017
Recipients of grants for critics in 2018
Recipients of grants for critics in 2019
Recipients of grants for critics in 2020

News

Civitates' Tech & Democracy open call

March 6 2025

Civitates – The European Democracy Fund is a pooled philanthropic fund that was set up in 2018 for the sole purpose of addressing democratic decline and closing civic space in Europe. The case for confronting these threats is growing increasingly urgent. Fritt Ord Foundation is one of the initiators and partners of Civitates.

Civitates has launched its Tech and Democracy open call to support organisations working to ensure safer, more inclusive online spaces (social media platforms, search engines etc.) by improving the enforcement of EU tech regulations at the national level.

This open call offers a unique opportunity to strengthen civil society’s role in holding the tech sector accountable, with a focus on key EU regulations such as the Digital Services Act, GDPR, AI Act or the European Media Freedom Act to name a few.

Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2025

March 3 2025

In collaboration with the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrates the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalists and media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary that promote freedom of the press through their investigative and independent reporting are eligible to be nominated for the Free Media Awards.

Art and Institutions: “I Demand a Museum to Feel its Own Floors Tremble When Other Museums are Destroyed in War”

February 12 2025

Saturday 22 February 2025 at Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, from 14.30 to 16.30 h.

Conversation with Adam Budak (Poland/Germany), Stefanie Carp (Germany), Matej Drlička (Slovakia), Andrea Geyer (USA) og Sarah Lookofsky (USA/Norway). Ingerid Salvesen is moderator.

Across the world, cultural institutions are under increasing pressure. Censorship, self-censorship, drastic funding cuts, and political and sponsorship interference are on the rise. Former and present institutional directors – with personal experiences of political pressure, cancellation and censorship from different geographic contexts – will discuss the limitations and capacities of art institutions in the present.

Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute to Sara Gaulin

February 5 2025

Sarah Gaulin (30) is being awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for her courageous and principled defence of freedom of expression in the face of extremism, gang crime and negative social control.
As a prominent voice, Gaulin has drawn attention to some of the most demanding and controversial social challenges of our time.