Velferden is an artist-run arena for social and artistic exploration of the human relationship with nature. Through the year we organise residencies, relational projects, courses, seminars, exhibitions and concerts. The program is curated by the visual artists Maiken Stene and Hans Edward Hammonds.

Velferden is located in the small town of Sokndal, on the west coast of Norway.

Our base is set in the historic buildings of the mining company Titania, and is surrounded by a combination of untouched mountains and industrial landscapes as a result of 150 years of ongoing mining activity. Our arena is spacious, and includes a guesthouse, offices, studios, workshops, projectsrooms, a gallery and ample room for outdoor production.

In 1907, at Sandbekk where Velferden is located, the mining company Titania invented the process of transforming black Ilmenite iron into the white chemical compound Titanium Dioxide (the white pigment also known as Titanium White). Titania ran underground mining at Sandbekk until 1965, when they moved their factories to a nearby location and started the open pit operation that is still running today.

– you are an active professional with relevant education or experience within your field.

– you are not a student of high school, bachelor or master's degree programmes.

– you own a valid travel insurance.

The residents are not expected to present finished work at the end of the period, but will be asked to share their processes with us in a public presentation during the residency.

The residency is best suited for individuals seeking peace and quiet to work independently on their projects. We look for self reliant professionals who can benefit from a working stay in the unique setting that we have to offer at Velferden. The residency is open to everyone, but we will favour applications that can show an interest in our program.

Are you a researcher and/or work at an institution that prevents you from travelling for extended periods? We can facilitate and tailor for stays with different ways of working. Send your questions or interest to velferdenscene@gmail.com to see if a residency is possible for you.

A peaceful and interesting place to work and develop new projects.

Free accommodation and a dedicated workspace.

Access to large project rooms.

Practical support for your stay from Velferden.

A good introduction to the area upon arrival, including a closer look at the culture, industry and natural life that exists in this area.

The residents will live in our guesthouse, the historical “Direktørboligen'' located in a neighbourhood with a wide view of the centre of town. Each resident will get a private bedroom, and will otherwise share a bathroom, kitchen and living room with the other resident(s) and guests of Velferden. The house is a 40 minutes walk / 15 minute bike / 5 minute drive away from Velferden.

The residents will be allocated a private studio space with a 24 hr access in the old Administration building in the mining town next to Velferden. We also have a large project space available, workshops and big outdoor areas for work and play. All our sites have good internet connection.

Sokndal is located around 1,5 hr by car from Stavanger. The town centre has two grocery stores, two garages, a few shops and a post office i.e. The town and the general area has easy access to a varied landscape of both mountains, rivers, lakes, woodland and the shoreline.

The region is defined by a significant type of geology as represented through Magma UNESCO Global Geopark, the National Scenic Route that runs through the area, and the new Science museum in Jøssingfjord.