Norway’s Children’s Art Museum Faces Uncertain Future

The International Museum of Children’s Art in Oslo, founded in 1986, has been a unique hub displaying art made by children worldwide. This includes creations from Afghan girls in secret schools, Ukrainian kids affected by war, and young artists responding to the Covid pandemic.

For four decades, the museum has served as a cultural time capsule, showcasing children’s perspectives on historical events through drawings, paintings, and sculptures. Some pieces stem from as young as toddlers, while others are crafted by teenagers.

Ashild Breie Nyhus, a classical musician who performed at a recent benefit for the museum, remarked, “It is a place of exploration and discovery for all children. Perhaps the most honest works of art to be found in Oslo and beyond.”

In recent developments, the museum faces closure after Norway’s government halted its financial support. Angela Goldin, the museum’s director, expressed her concern, stating, “It’s so surreal that it has no value. That’s what we’re being told.” Ms. Goldin is now exploring options to preserve the institution’s vast collection of over 100,000 pieces.

The museum emerged as a family initiative. It began with a film by Ms. Goldin’s stepfather, Rafael Goldin, originally from the Soviet Union, capturing children’s worldviews.