For the second time, the Fritt Ord Foundation has awarded critics 10 grants of NOK 200 000 each. “We received some 50 applications, and they were of high quality”, reports Georg Fr. Rieber-Mohn, chair of Fritt Ord Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The new grant scheme began last year and will run for three years. The total allocation is MNOK 6.

The 10 being awarded a one-year grant are Gaute Brochmann (architecture), Lars Elton (pictorial art and architecture), Guri Fjeldberg (literature), Anki Gerhardsen (dramatic art and pictorial art), Merete Røsvik Granlund (literature), Jon Inge Faldalen (film and TV), Frode Johansen Riopelle (literature), Sandra Lillebø (literature), Pål Gerhard Olsen (literature) and Silje Stavrum Norevik (literature).

Three of the recipients also received grants last year (Brochmann, Gerhardsen and Norevik). The Fritt Ord Foundation has given priority to critics who deliver reviews to daily and weekly media. One of the critics writes for Dagbladet, one for Avisa Nordland, one for Aftenposten, one for Dagsavisen and VG, one for Dag og Tid, one for Morgenbladet, two for Morgenbladet and Klassekampen, and two for Bergens Tidende. The critics who have been awarded grants also write in journals such as Bokvennen, ArkitekturNytt, barnebokkritikk.no, littkritikk.no, Prosa, etc.

“Criticism is an indispensable, but exceptionally hard pressed segment of Norwegian journalism”, comments Fritt Ord Foundation Executive Director Knut Olav Åmås. “From this perspective, the grant scheme is an attempt to help the critics remain strong, independent voices, and to contribute to their professionalisation and allow them to focus more on reviews that are important for the general public”, he says.

The grant programme for critics is just one of many initiatives Fritt Ord has taken to strengthen journalism in Norway.

For more information, please contact Knut Olav Åmås by email at: knut.olav.amas@frittord.no

• Recipients of the 2015 grants for critics
• Call for proposals 2016