NorEng
Strømgaten 1

The history of Bergen Academy of Art and Design

From private evening school to state college. Historic milestones in Bergen Academy of Art and Design's history.

2017: Becomes part of the Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design, together with the Grieg Academy - Department of Music at the University of Bergen.

2012: Changes name from Bergen National Academy of the Arts to Bergen Academy of Art and Design (KHiB)

2009: Celebration of the 100 year anniversary. 300 students.

1996: The National College of Art and Design, Bergen and The West Norway Academy of Art (Vestlandets kunstakademi, VKA) merge into Bergen National Academy of the Arts (KHiB). 

The National College of Art and Design, Bergen, is one of the two educational institutions that became part of the new Bergen National Academy of the Arts - renamed to Bergen Academy of Art and Design from 2012. The second is the The West Norway Academy of Art, established in 1973.

National College of Art and Design, Bergen (Statens høgskole for kunsthåndverk og design)

1909: The Bergen School of Arts and Crafts (Bergens Kunsthåndverkskole, BKHS) is founded. Part-time and night school, upper secondary school, funded by the county municipality. 16 students (all male).

1951: Becomes a three-year day school

1981–1986: Changes status to state-funded college. First art education in Norway with a degree programme consisting of three years of basic study and one-and-a-half years of postgraduate studies. Changes name to National College of Art and Design, Bergen(Statens høgskole for kunsthåndverk og design, SHKD).

The West Norway Academy of Art (Vestlandets kunstakademi, VKA)

1948: The Bergen Art School (Studieatelieret i Bergen) is founded as a private night school

1973: VKA is established as a three-year day school. Funded by the state, Hordaland county municipality and Bergen municipality. 28 students.

1982: Status changed to state-funded art academy with a four-year course of study.