Winners of Gulljerven 2024

This year's winner has in a short time distinguished himself as a versatile and dedicated artist. Through his work with children, youth and young adults, this year's winner has been an inspiring force in several parts of the performing arts field and he has created magical moments for the young. On stage, we have seen an impressive effort that confirms the artist's versatility.  

During his studies at Nordic Black Xpress, he was known to give his all for his art, both in ups and downs. Even after a long day at school, he continued to work on his own poetry and art. He has taken this passion and work ethic with him further into his career.  

Nominees: 

Jawad Aziz
Shelmith Øseth
Anders Engebretsen
Amalie Sasha Schanke
Nora Louise J. Andvig

This year's award winner has been a particularly committed, knowledgeable and innovative figure in the theater world for over 40 years. Having such a long and sustained capacity in the free field clearly deserves a price in itself. In an age where theater education has a knife at its throat, this award winner figures as an early and important pioneer for ambitious and creative educational drive. The many projects show an artist who has the courage to challenge the established, and to put the actor and the audience in focus.  

We see a multifaceted, wide-ranging and enthusiastic artistry, which has resulted in diverse creative performances. The winner of the Newcomer of the Year can celebrate four decades of research into and dissemination of Norse and folk theater traditions, and a particular dedication to the young audience, which has resulted in over 2,500 performances in Den kulturelle skolesekken. 

Nominees:

Kenneth Dean
K:13 Performing arts
The puppet theater workshop

There will be no performance without all those who arrive first and leave last; which thrives in the shade, but which ensures that there is light. The Cable Puller of the Year award goes this year to a person who is an exceptionally kind colleague. He is every guest player's dream, and the apple of every producer's eye. This year's cable puller never shows stress and neutralizes all the nerves that exist on and behind the stage. With stoic calm and steely control, he fixes any rig. In addition, he speaks fluently technically and does not give up until everything works 100%.  

This year's cable puller understands the needs of both the institutions and the companies, and has been nominated in particular for the way he meets new and inexperienced stage artists. The slogan in his work circle is "Agnar fixes it".

Nominees: 

Anar Ribe
Morten Røsrud and Thomas Gallagher
Gjermund Lethigangas

The winner of the Sustainability Hero of the Year goes to someone who has worked innovatively for a long time. They have achieved something that others in the field would have liked to think about, but were unable to implement on the scale that this year's winner has. Over several years, they have developed a new platform for a more circular art production, which is not least rooted in knowledge of how the performing arts field works. In their first pilot in a physical location at USF in Bergen, they brought in over one tonne of textiles from various cultural operators that can be reused in new projects. 

We are on the brink of a climate crisis to which the cultural sector also contributes with its activities. This year's sustainability hero has not waited for others, but has taken the lead himself to find solutions where reuse is the focus. Their platform is a good step on the way to a more sustainable cultural field. 

Nominees: 

Kristoffer Nohr Unstad
SHIFTIT – center for circular cultural production
The circus village of Cirkus Xanti

For the prize for this year's (d)jerveste, the jury has landed on someone who has been fearless and committed, and who has challenged established norms in the theater industry. Which has contributed to a wider discussion about what it means to tell other people's stories on stage - and on what terms this happens. Despite standing alone in the face of strong media attacks, the winner has continued to raise his voice for a more reflective and open artistic conversation around representation and direction.  

The brave approach to an inflamed topic has initiated an important discussion. Through his work, the winner has not only challenged existing structures and institutions, but also risked a lot to create room for change in the performing arts field. It is precisely these actions that make him deserve the award as the year's bravest – an award for having spoken up for art in a way that can lift the field forward. 

Nominees: 

Action group at Oslo Nye Teater
Magnus Myhr
The theater lodge at NTNU

This year's producer is known for being someone you can trust, and someone who delivers what is promised. The award winner is particularly good at highlighting the importance of art in a societal perspective, and lifting art and artists into a larger context. With this, she often carries a great responsibility on her shoulders, but time and time again shows a formidable ability to execute in both the large and small parts of the work as a producer. 

This year's award winner was educated in London, but from his base in Finnmark has used his large network and passionate commitment to highlight performing artists in an exemplary way, and is himself a clear player in the performing arts in the north.

Nominees: 

Eva Grainger
Bjørn-Tore Grøntvedt
Maiken Garder

This year's winners have developed a performance that has been very successful across the country. Their visions of using a known gaming universe as the framework for staging have been well resolved in the performance. Technique, scenography, actors, video, sound and lighting design, and the actors' performances on stage highlight the human story. 

The performance delves into questions that feel close and real, and the winners have managed to create an experience that touches, and that does not raise a moralizing finger. Together with good partners, the winners have developed a new type of live art experience, which has also brought new audience groups to the theatre. 

Nominees: 

Wakka Wakka Productions
Christina Sleipnes
Håkon Dalsbø and Frode Gjerløw for The Dark Fort