For more than two decades has the vision of a national gallery in Nuuk lived among artists, cultural figures and politicians in Greenland.
Now the chairman of Greenland’s National Gallery, the artist Kristine Spore Kreutzmann, believes that the project is closer to realization than before – even though around DKK 150 million is still missing before construction can begin.
For more than two decades has the vision of a national gallery in Nuuk lived among artists, cultural figures and politicians in Greenland.
Now the chairman of Greenland’s National Gallery, the artist Kristine Spore Kreutzmann, believes that the project is closer to realization than before – even though around DKK 150 million is still missing before construction can begin.
– We hope that something will happen next year, she says to AG.
The National Gallery has already been assigned a building site in Nuuk, and Danish star architect Bjarke Ingels is associated with the project. At the same time, the board is now working on updating the project, so that the construction takes greater account of today’s demands for sustainability and incorporates local materials.
Among the ideas is the use of glacial flour in construction.
– We have to look at whether you can get glacier flour into the construction in some way. You can use it as a glaze on tiles or for bricks and other interesting solutions. We would like to make the project more environmentally friendly and work more with local materials, says Kristine Spore Kreutzmann and states that the board is in dialogue with the architects about this.
100 million already collected
According to the chairman, the total financial framework for the National Gallery is around DKK 250 million.
So far, approximately 100 million has already been collected.
– The self-government contributes 50 million, and the other 50 million comes from an anonymous sponsor, she says.
However, she does not want to reveal her identity, but she adds with a smile that the anonymous sponsor does not come from the USA.
At the same time, the project receives two million kroner annually for operating support – one million from Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq and one million from Greenland’s Self-Government. The money goes, among other things, to keep the project organization running and further develop fund applications and strategy work.
After several years of standstill, Kristine Spore Kreutzmann feels that the project is now in a different place than before.
– We really haven’t been in this situation before with both operational support and a project director role. In the past, the project has largely been driven by voluntary work and commitment, but now we have a more professional framework around the work, she says.
According to her, the growing international interest in Greenland also plays a role. She continues:
– Greenland occupies much more space internationally right now – both politically and culturally. I think this also means that several foundations and partners have become more aware of the project. Therefore, I also feel that we are in a more realistic place now than we have been in the past.
The board must raise fund funds
Recently, the relatively newly hired project director Nivi Christensen quit her position, as she herself announced on her Facebook profile.
The chairman, Kristine Spore Kreutzmann, does not wish to comment further on the matter.
– I cannot comment on the matter, as it is a personnel matter, she says briefly and states that the board has appointed an acting project director until a new project director is found.
– The most important thing for the board right now is to get the rest of the financing for the construction, says chairman Kristine Spore Kreutzmann.
Several works already collected
Although the building itself does not yet exist, the National Gallery’s art collection has already begun to grow.
According to chairman Kristine Spore Kreutzmann, private individuals have generously donated works to the future gallery over a long period of time, and the collection already includes several hundred works of art.
The ambition is for the National Gallery to contain Greenland’s entire art history – from the historical artists to newer and more experimental contemporary art created by living Greenlandic artists.
– I am currently working on collecting works from living Greenlandic artists, which we would like to apply for foundation funds to buy. It is important that we include both historical art and contemporary art, she says.
Among the larger collections there are already works by the multi-artist Hans Lynge.
Wants broader grass roots
Another important question for the board, according to Kristine Spore Kreutzmann, is how the project can become more visible and gain a wider popular base throughout the country.
Work is therefore underway to establish an actual office where the public can follow the project more closely.
– My wish is for there to be a place where people can come in and get information about the project and talk to us about it. My goal is that both people in Nuuk and – especially – people on the coast feel more involved in the project, she says.
At the same time, she hopes that the work with the National Gallery can bring together creative forces from all over Greenland to a greater extent.
– I would also like to gather a wider creative group from all over the country – not just locally in Nuuk – where we can jointly develop ideas, design and materials for the project, says Kristine Spore Kreutzmann.
The board will meet again in June, where strategy, vision and further fundraising will be central themes.
Until then, work continues to convince large foundations that Greenland is ready for its first National Gallery.
