It is a day of joy, after it was announced on Sunday evening that funds have been allocated to start the construction of the Grieg Academy.

Today, we celebrate!

For many years, there has been great engagement to get the building in place. Students and staff have played, demonstrated, explained, and never lost their spark.

On Sunday evening, the government parties SP and AP presented the budget agreement with SV. Here, funds for a new building for the Grieg Academy are included.

Dean Frode Thorsen describes it as an enormous relief and a breakthrough. The path for a new building is finally clear.

– A new Grieg Academy is such an important matter for the entire KMD. Bringing together the Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design in Møllendal has been the great vision we have had for many years, says Thorsen.

Thorsen points out that the support from all political parties in Bergen and Vestland has been crucial.

– They have understood what this means for the cultural city of Bergen. Now we have the opportunity to achieve something truly unique. Both for our students and staff, but also for the cultural city of Bergen as a whole.

Many deserve thanks, but today it is primarily the students and staff at the Grieg Academy that Thorsen wants to highlight:

– They have been patient, they have persevered through thick and thin in this fight for a new Grieg Academy. They have put in an enormous amount of work. It is important to emphasize how much time and commitment the staff and students have invested to make this happen.

Thorsen, who has worked for the new building for more than 20 years, will celebrate with cake and take time to let the good news sink in.

– Now we will finally be a united faculty for art, music, and design. It is truly great.

The head of the Grieg Academy, Randi Rolvsjord, says she is both relieved and moved by the good news for the music students.

– We have fought for this for so many years, and we are already looking forward to having facilities that are tailored for music, with sound, light, and air conditions that are worthy for both students and staff. I also feel very proud of the Grieg Academy and the potential we have. I am simply moved by everyone who has worked for this and supported us in the fight for a new building.

She emphasizes that a new building for the Grieg Academy allows them to offer a music education that is genuinely relevant to the society we live in.

– We know how much music means both to individuals and to society. Music contributes to learning, cohesion, and health, and music creates important meeting places and experiences between people. This is also also very good news for the cultural life here in Bergen and in Vestland, with new concert venues and opportunities for us to experiment with music, says Rolvsjord.

In addition to highlighting the enormous engagement of the students and staff, Rolvsjord also emphasizes the leadership at the faculty and UiB.

– UiB has led the fight and worked tirelessly to get the building in place. We are very grateful for that.