History
Leveld Kunstnartun is rooted in the area’s rich cultural history. Over time, many artists have traveled to this village in search of inspiration and a place to work. They lived on local farms and became part of the rural community, contributing to a close exchange between art and everyday life.
The site consists of two residential buildings—Lærarbustaden and Astridtugu—as well as the loft once used by Jens Bjørneboe. It also includes an old barn that now serves as a writing and music room, a fully equipped printmaking workshop, and two large studios. A strong sense of shared community is central to the vision of Leveld Kunstnartun, as is the emphasis on working across artistic disciplines. The residency aims to be a meeting place for interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of new forms of expression.
Today, artists from around the world come to Leveld to live and work. In return, they engage with the local community through concerts, lectures, poetry readings, open studios, and collaborations with schools. This exchange between visiting artists and the local cultural scene is enriching for both sides and is an important goal in itself.
The art center organizes an annual summer exhibition, often curated or created by former resident artists.
Gerhard Munthe first came to Leveld in the 1880s, and from around 1930 onwards more artists followed. Many were drawn to the distinctive light in Leveld, and several were connected to anthroposophical circles, influenced by Goethe’s Theory of Colours.
The art historian Nils Ellingsgard, who has written about visual art in Hallingdal, argues that these artists helped secure Leveld a place in Norwegian art history.
Among those who followed Munthe were the visual artists Thor Bøhn, Gøsta Munsterhjelm, Karl Høgberg, Kaare Wildhagen, Fridtjof Smith-Hald d.y., Alvhild Bratt, Hetty Gleditsch, Pelle Roll Thommesen, and Alf Jørgen Aas.
Among the writers associated with Leveld were Jens Bjørneboe and Agnar Mykle. Both built holiday homes in the village and spent time there working and drawing inspiration from the surroundings.
The poets Gulle Brun and Signe Seim have also found part of their poetic voice in Leveld, shaped by its landscape and atmosphere.