The documentation archive
The archive collections contain extensive documentation and research material of major significance from an art and cultural historical perspective.
The material varies in content, form and scope, and can include letters, photos, drawings, notes, diaries, manuscripts, meeting minutes, journals, copy books and accounts.
The bulk of the material comes from the archives of the National Museum's formerly separate institutions: the National Gallery, the Norwegian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Norwegian Museum of Architecture and the National Touring Exhibitions. The collections document the history and activities of the institutions, such as exhibitions, acquisitions of art, appointments, construction projects, accounts, art mediation, and incoming and outgoing loans.
The archive collections also contain a number of private archives from artists, designers, scholars, collectors, companies, organisations, clubs and associations.
The private archives of architects are available on request from the study room at the National Museum – Architecture.
The archive also holds extensive source material on individual Norwegian artists, comprised mainly of background material for a dictionary of Norwegian artists (Norsk Kunstnerleksikon) and documentation of the works in the museum's collection.
Practical information for visitors to the archive
Visiting address: Dronning Mauds gate 2.
When visiting the library and archive
Please contact the library counter and sign in the visit protocol upon arrival. Coats and bags must be left in the guest cloakroom, where lockers are provided. You may bring a computer and necessary papers to the study room. The librarian will show you to the room where the pre-ordered material is displayed. Food and beverages are not allowed in.
When you have finished for the day, sign the loan form in the study room and contact a librarian to sign out in the visit protocol. You can reserve the material for up to seven working days.
Ordering archive material
Archive material is available by appointment and must be ordered in advance.
You can search for archive material in the union catalogue Arkivportalen.no and send the archive references to dokumentasjonsarkivet@nasjonalmuseet.no.
The same email address can be used to send enquiries about the archive material or the order. Study rooms must also be reserved and these rooms are available during the library’s opening hours (10-18 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 10-20 Wednesday).
Please note that the response waiting time is up to five working days for your enquiry.
Regulations for using archive material
The regulations can be found here. Remember that you are handling unique original material, so read the regulations carefully and exercise caution.
You can receive up to three archive items or boxes at a time.
Copying
The use of personal digital cameras is permitted. Other forms of copying of archive material will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the case of copying/scanning, this can be done in the copy room next to the library desk. Remember that the entire box must always accompany the material to be copied/scanned, not just relevant individual documents.
Visitors are responsible for obtaining the necessary permission from the copyright holder for using and publishing copied material, as well as for complying with legislation related to the reproduction and publication of material with sensitive content (privacy legislation). Copying of restricted material is subject to individual assessment.
