The art triennial Bergen Assembly appoints Haakon Thuestad as Director. He will take over the helm on October 1st, succeeding Evelyn Holm, who has held the position since Bergen Assembly was established in 2011.

Thuestad was formerly a political advisor for the Vice Mayor of Culture, Henning Warloe, and press advisor to the Governing Mayors of Bergen, Monica Mæland and Ragnhild Stolt-Nielsen. In addition to many years of experience within Bergen’s political sphere, Thuestad also served four years in the Standing Committee for Culture in the Hordaland County Council.

“I am very pleased to announce that Haakon Thuestad is appointed as the new Director of Bergen Assembly. He has been heavily involved in politics and culture in Bergen since discussions about establishing an art triennial here first occurred. We believe he can take Bergen Assembly forward to realize the ambitions we have for the triennial,” stated Chairman of the Board Petter Snare.
Bergen Assembly arose in 2007 as part of the work of Bergen municipality’s art program and was established four years later. A biennial in Bergen was promoted as the contemporary art field’s response to the city’s major festivals in film, music, and theater.

In acceptance of the appointment, Thuestad reflected on the outlook of Bergen Assembly, saying, “I am looking forward enormously to taking on this position. The first edition of Bergen Assembly is perhaps the art event in Norway that has received the most extensive coverage in the international press, and the artistic level was very high. Our long-term goal is to be the undisputed flagship event in the Norwegian contemporary art field.”

Thuestad begins as Director on October 1st; current Director Evelyn Holm will continue as a consultant to Bergen Assembly until further notice.

Remarking on the post’s turnover and Holm’s long-standing dedication, Chairman Snare expressed, “I want to thank departing Director Evelyn Holm for the brilliant effort she has put into Bergen Assembly. There would not have been a triennial without Evelyn, and I am glad that we have her on board a little longer.”

Bergen Assembly is an international triennial of contemporary art, structured around exhibitions and other events in Bergen every three years. The next edition of Bergen Assembly will be held in 2016.