In 2023, ROM for Art and Architecture is announcing a new scholarship, "ROM's MA Scholarship," for students working on outstanding master's theses related to ROM's main thematic areas: art, architecture, urban development, and public spaces.

The first scholarship will have a thematic focus on ROM's own history in connection with the 20th anniversary in 2025, emphasizing architecture and place as fields of study. The scholarship is sponsored by Snøhetta.

Background

ROM for Art and Architecture has its roots in two different institutions: Galleri Rom, established in 1986 by Kjetil Trædal Thorsen (Snøhetta) and Martin Roubik, which held several exhibitions featuring younger internationally recognized architects within a few years. The Institute for Spatial Art was a private foundation established in 1989 by AHO, the Academy of Fine Arts, SHKS, NAL, Norwegian Visual Artists (NBK), and Norwegian Craftsmen (NK). From 1990 to 2005, the institute was led by architect and visual artist Mette L’orange. Both institutions were unique in the Norwegian context; exploratory and interdisciplinary institutions that linked theory and discourse-creating practice through process-oriented exhibition and dissemination projects.

In 2005, five foundation organizations merged Galleri Rom and the Institute for Spatial Art: Norwegian Craftsmen, Norwegian Visual Artists, the Norwegian Association of Architects, the Norwegian Association of Interior Architects and Furniture Designers, and the Norwegian Association of Landscape Architects. ROM for Art and Architecture has been located at Maridalsveien 3 in Oslo since the merger. Henrik der Minassian led the institution from 2005 to 2019, when the current leader Gjertrud Steinsvåg took over.

ROM for Art and Architecture today continues the experimental legacy of Galleri Rom and the Institute for Spatial Art. Today, ROM works with various programs and formats, aiming to demonstrate spatial thinking in practice. This form of architecture dissemination is advanced and requires time and patience, both for those practicing this form of thinking and those interacting with it. Today, ROM is a platform for exploratory exhibition and dissemination projects. As important as result-oriented exhibitions that understand the works as endpoints, ROM's goal is to be a generous gathering place for work processes, collaboration, disagreements, and differences. A central focus is to showcase the methods of architects and artists through experimental dissemination formats. For more information about the projects, visit rom.no.

ROMs MA stipend 2023

How has the Norwegian architectural discourse been disseminated in exhibitions or events over the last forty years? What is the significance of facilitating meetings between artistic working methods and architecture's traditionally more solution-oriented tasks? What types of exhibitions or events have been explored? What have been the central theoretical or methodological positions? How have the institutions worked in relation to the field of practice? How has cultural policy promoted the dissemination of architecture?

The history of architecture dissemination in Norway over the past 40 years has yet to be documented and analyzed. ROM's archive (combined with interviews) provides a unique starting point for an investigation of architecture dissemination in Norway from 1985 – 2025.

ROM for Art and Architecture is therefore seeking an ambitious and skilled master's student who wishes to write a thesis on interdisciplinary dissemination in Norway from 1985 to 2025, based on the history of the institutions Galleri Rom, the Institute for Spatial Art, and ROM for Art and Architecture.

Applicants can be candidates enrolled in master's studies in relevant fields within the humanities at a Norwegian or foreign university. There are no requirements for methodological or theoretical approach, but ROM for Art and Architecture has an unexplored archive that will be made available to the scholarship recipient. It is encouraged to combine archive investigations with interviews.

Students in art dissemination, art history, architectural history, museology, or aesthetics are encouraged to apply.

ROM for Art and Architecture is therefore seeking an ambitious master's student who wishes to write a thesis on interdisciplinary architecture dissemination in Norway from 1985 to 2025, based on the history of Galleri Rom, the Institute for Spatial Art, and ROM for Art and Architecture.

There will be no restrictions on the thematic angle or critical perspectives of the thesis. Scholarship recipients are free to choose their theoretical and methodological approach in consultation with their advisor at their own institution. However, ROM for Art and Architecture has an unexplored archive that will be made available to the scholarship recipient. ROM can also assist in connecting the scholarship recipient with key figures to arrange interviews.

Applicants can be candidates enrolled in master's programs in relevant fields within the humanities at a Norwegian or foreign university. Students in art dissemination, art history, architectural history, museology, or aesthetics are encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is NOK 50,000. Half of the scholarship will be paid upon award, and the other half will be paid when the thesis is submitted.

• Documented admission to an MA program in relevant fields such as art history, museology, architecture, aesthetics, art theory, dissemination, curation, architecture, or planning
• Independent work leading to an MA thesis on architecture dissemination in Norway, based on the history of ROM for Art and Architecture
• Proficiency in Norwegian due to ROM's source material
• A recommendation from an advisor or other academic professional is desirable

It is desirable that scholarship recipients submit an academic article or an academic interview after the thesis is delivered and approved. The article will be published on the Metodes website.

• A scholarship of NOK 50,000
• Access to ROM's archive
• Assistance in establishing contact with relevant professionals
• Opportunities for consultation and discussions with relevant experts in ROM's team
• Depending on the agreement and initiative from the educational institution, ROM may also contribute by providing a co-supervisor role for the candidate.

To apply for the MA scholarship, please submit an application containing the following documents:

• A motivation letter (maximum 1 A4 page)
• A project description of two to three A4 pages detailing how the applicant intends to approach the topic. The project description should include an overview of the theme, angle, hypotheses, and critical questions. Reflections on theoretical perspectives and a brief bibliography are also encouraged.
• CV
• A recommendation letter from an advisor is also desirable

The application should be submitted here by December 15, 2023.

The assessment of applications will be conducted by the responsible editor and the editorial board at Metode, represented by Ingrid Halland, and ROM's Managing and Artistic Director, Gjertrud Steinsvåg.