Verdensteatret to Disband After 40 Years, Citing Loss of Full Public Funding
The Verdensteatret collective, established in 1986 by Asle Nilsen and Lisbeth Bodd, has announced its closure after four decades, a decision revealed at the Dikemarkfestivalen. Their concluding installation, Lucida (2026), is currently being showcased at Dikemark in Asker. Renowned for its unique audiovisual approach, the collective has struggled financially since 2020. Although there were intentions for productions in 2027 and 2028, members have concluded that a sustainable future is unattainable. Nilsen has criticized Norway's cultural policies for failing to support non-commercial experimental arts. Verdensteatret has received numerous accolades, including the Kritikerprisen and Heddaprisen in 2015. The installation will remain on display until August 30 and incorporates works from various artists, expanding on their earlier piece Flat Sun (2024).
Key facts
- Verdensteatret, founded in 1986 by Asle Nilsen and Lisbeth Bodd, is disbanding after 40 years.
- The collective is presenting its final installation, Lucida (2026), at Dikemarkfestivalen in Asker, Norway.
- The decision to cease operations was made due to financial pressure since 2020 and lack of predictable funding.
- Despite agreements for new productions in 2027 and 2028, the collective cannot operate sustainably.
- Asle Nilsen criticizes Norwegian cultural policy, saying the will to fully finance free experimental art is gone.
- Verdensteatret has won awards including Kritikerprisen, Heddaprisen (2015), and Bessie Award (2005).
- The collective has five employees in 50% positions and rents a large space at Alna.
- Lucida is on view until August 30, 2026, and is created by seven artists and produced by Martin Taxt.
Entities
Artists
- Asle Nilsen
- Lisbeth Bodd
- Espen Sommer Eide
- Janne Kruse
- Annike Flo
- Ali Djabbary
- Jenny Berger Myhre
- Torgrim Torve
- Martin Taxt
Institutions
- Verdensteatret
- Dikemarkfestivalen
- Black Box teater
- Kritikerprisen
- Heddaprisen
- Bessie Award
Locations
- Dikemark
- Asker
- Norway
- Oslo
- Alna
- New York