Most Powerful Women in Norwegian Culture

By ThorNews on March 11, 2014 • ( 0 )

Norway’s most powerful culture personality. Photo by Erlend Aas/Aftenposten

– My influence becomes visible by participating in different arrangements, meeting many people all over the country, and being part of the Norwegian culture politics, says Anne Aasheim, ranked as the most powerful woman in Norwegian Culture to Aftenposten.

Since 2010, she has been Director of the Arts Council Norway, and Deputy Chairman of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), where she is responsible for strategy, finance and budget.

In 2014, the ‘money bag’ at the Arts Council shrunk by 100 million kroner (12 million dollars), but Aasheim still manages 1.2 billion kroner (145 million dollars) to artists and cultural workers across the country.

Real Power

The jury consists of BI Norwegian Business School Professor Anne-Britt Gran, former Minister of Culture Anniken Huitfeld and acting Culture Editor in newspaper Aftenposten, Veslemøy Østrem.

Gran says that the award is an attempt to reveal which women have real power in Norwegian culture.

The criteria considered by the jury include formal power, economic power, network, implementation capacity, and whether she is setting the agenda in the public debate.

– Aasheim leads a more powerful and unattached Arts Council than ever. Through her experience in media, she has built up an extensive network and has shown strong execution ability, Gran says.

– But why isn’t the Minister of Culture, Thorhild Widwey, ranked as number one?

– Formally, Thorhild Widwey has the most power. She is also in charge of the largest ‘money bag’. But she has appeared as an indistinct Minister of Culture, and does not have an extensive network, Østrem says.

Gran adds that Widwey has not been appointed Minister of Culture long enough to get the highest ranking.

Here are the 30 most powerful women in Norwegian culture:

Anne Aasheim, Director of Arts Council Norway
Thorhild Widvey, Minister of Culture
Annika Cecilie Bjørnstad, Strategy Director of Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)
Nina Økland, General Director in the Ministry of Culture
Anne Carine Tanum, Multiple Director
Marte Thorsby, Director of IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry)
Ellen Horn, Theatre Director of Riksteatret Touring Theatre
Anne Oterholm, writer and member of Arts Council Norway
Elina Krantz, Manager of Stand Up Norge
Agnete Gullestad Haaland, Theatre Director of Den Nationale Scene
Vigdis Moe Skarstein, Director of the National Library
Kristin Berge, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture
Anne Enger, County Governor in Østfold County
Hege Duckert, Culture Editor Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK)
Kari Johanne Spjedlnæs, publishing Director of Aschehoug
Turid Birkeland, Director of Concerts Norway
Hanne Tømta, Theater Director of The National Theater
Elin Aamodt, Manager of Artist Organization Gramart
Lena Midtveit, Director of Sony Music Entertainment
Karin Mundal, publishing Director of Cappelen Damm
Synnøve Hørsdal, Film Producer of Maipo Film
Ingvild Daae, Director of Monster (TV production)
Ingrid Røynesdal, Director of Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Bente Erichsen, Director of Nobel Peace Centre
Lise Stang Lund, Chairman The Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts (NK)
Ingrid Lorentzen, Ballet Director of The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
Marie Komissar, Music Producer NRK P3
Iren Reppen, Artistic Director of Peer Gynt Festival
Hilde Sandvik, Culture Editor of Bergens Tidende
Tone Hansen, Director of Henie-Onstad Art Centre