uks

homepage : http://www.uks.no
address : Lakkegata 55d , 0187 Oslo, Norge
phone : +47 22195050

FROM SITE

ABOUT UKS [YOUNG ARTISTS SOCIETY]
The Young Artists Society
UKS – Unge Kunstneres Samfund

The Young Artists Society was established in 1921. Throughout the society's history UKS has worked to secure the rights of young artists both artistically and socially. For a long period the society existed primarily as a centre for exchanging goods, where art was swapped for basic goods and services such as food and dentist appointments. In the seventies UKS was a focal point for the artists' fight for economic rights in the welfare state. Later has also the struggle for the recognition of new forms of artistic expression been a major issue.
UKS’ primary are to produce and present exhibitions and larger shows of contemporary Norwegian and International art, with a special attention to the younger artists. A large network of collaborators has been built during the last ten years, and UKS has for the last five years presented exhibitions curated by several internationally known curators from Australia, France, Italy and the former republic of Yugoslavia.

August 2003 represent a major point of change for the organization, as UKS moved from one of Oslo’s oldest buildings to a newly restored industrial space in the eastern part of the city centre. This was the first time the organization moved in 65 years! The new exhibition hall is twice as big as the former, with high ceilings and a beautiful light coming in through old glass windows in the roof. To move an old organisation and gallery opens for new, and highly needed changes. UKS has become one of the best exhibition spaces in Oslo, with a possibility to become an even more important actor on the art scene in Norway.


The Institute for Art and Theory
Besides being great for exhibitions, the location also fits perfectly for other arrangements. In 2002 UKS founded an institute called The Institute for Art and Theory. This institute was founded to bridge the gap between the artists and theorists. UKS hosts approximately one meeting a month where artists, critics, theorists and journalists are invited to discuss or lecture on themes relevant for the public. The institute has received a lot of media attention, and the audience seems to really appreciate the form.

The UKS Biennial
Since 1996 UKS has also arranged the UKS Biennial. The two first biennials were arranged as purely museum exhibitions, which were shown in Oslo and subsequently on tour around Norway. However, in 2001 the biennial was built around the idea that art is created for a great variety of contexts and purposes. Consequently the UKS Biennial 2001 was not presented as a single exhibition located in a gallery, but consisted of works that used a diversity of spaces, formally, geographically and conceptually. In august 2004 the UKS Biennial took place in UKS Gallery. The centre of the Biennial will be UKS Gallery in Oslo.

Organisation
UKS has, as of 1.1.2004 approx. 1000 members. We are three members of the staff and five members of the board. The general assembly being the highest organ, with one meeting a year. The UKS is a non-for profit organization primarily supported by the government and through membership fees.

Information
UKS has an extended mailing list and in addition to invitation cards being sent to members and associates, e-mails and press releases are mailed to our contacts. UKS also invites journalists to special views or invite them personally. 2000 people receive mail about our activities. From 50 to 1000 people show up on our openings, depending on the size and content of the arrangement.