Bjarne Asp becomes new director at Kunsthall Dikemark

Kunsthall Dikemark (previous Trafo Kunsthall ) is entering its second year at the historic hospital site at Dikemark in Asker. After a strong first year, with good visitor numbers and significant interest locally, nationally and internationally, the art hall is now entering a new phase of development.

From October 2026, Oslo University Hospital will discontinue all hospital operations in the area, and parts of the city center are planned to be put up for sale. Dikemark is therefore facing major changes. Kunsthall Dikemark wants to be an active part of the development of the area as an attractive place for both the local population and cultural life.

Current director Oda Broch joined the art gallery in 2024 and has since been a key driver in the work of building and establishing Kunsthall Dikemark She has now accepted a new position in Oslo and is stepping down as director at Kunsthall Dikemark The board thanks Broch for her efforts in a crucial phase in the art gallery's establishment. Under her leadership, the art gallery has strengthened its position as a relevant and ambitious player in the region.

The board has offered Bjarne Asp the position of director from April 1, 2026.
– We are very pleased that Bjarne Asp has accepted the position as director of Kunsthall Dikemark . With his background as an architect and experience from projects at the intersection of art, architecture and urban development, he is well qualified to further develop the art hall and to strengthen Dikemark as a destination for art and cultural experiences, says Chairman Tuss Benum.

Bjarne Asp (b. 1982) graduated as an architect from the Oslo School of Architecture and Design in spring 2009. He has worked as communications manager for Pikene på Broen in connection with the Barents Spektakel 2024, and ran the festival office in 2025 and 2026. Asp has previously worked as an architect for Oslo Works, Kristin Jarmund Arkitekter and LMR arkitektur. He has written a number of texts on art and architecture for, among others, Kunstavisen, Arkitektur and Nordisk Revy for Arkitektur and was co-curator of the symposium Architecture and Power at Kunsthall Dikemark in 2025. Asp is a board member of the ROM foundation for art and architecture and currently runs his own practice, Artmorepons AS. He has also been a board member at Kunsthall Dikemark since 2024 and therefore has good knowledge of the business.

At the same time, Anne Siv Falkenberg Pedersen continues as curator. Over several years, she has been an important driving force in the development of the art gallery's program and professional profile, including through her work to highlight outsider art and historical patient art. She will continue to be responsible for exhibitions and programs in collaboration with the director and artistic council. The art gallery's other staff, consisting of exhibition hosts and technicians, will continue their work and be an important part of the implementation of the art gallery's exhibitions and events throughout the year.