The Partnership and the Board
The Norwegian Competence Centre for Arts and Health is established as a partnership between key stakeholders in research, healthcare, education, and public administration. The Centre is founded on a longstanding collaboration in the field of culture and health between the HUNT Research Centre (NTNU), Nord-Trøndelag Health Trust, Levanger Municipality, Trøndelag County Authority, and Nord University.
The Partners
HUNT Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU
The HUNT Research Centre manages and conducts research on the HUNT Study: Hosted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (https://www.ntnu.edu/hunt), HUNT is one of the largest longitudinal health studies ever performed. It is a unique database of questionnaire data, clinical measurements and samples from a county’s inhabitants since 1984. The HUNT Research Centre’s unique database includes information on 250 000 people and has been certified in conformity with NS-EN ISO 9001:2015 since 2011. The study has included questions about cultural participation in the population of Nord-Trøndelag since HUNT 3 (2006–2008).
Professor and Young-HUNT leader Kirsti Kvaløy serves as Deputy Chair of the Board. Researcher Erik R. Sund is the alternate representative.
Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust (Helse Nord-Trøndelag HF)
Levanger Hospital and Namsos Hospital are the local hospitals for the inhabitants of Nord-Trøndelag, Mid-Norway: 140,000 inhabitants in 26 municipalities(https://www.hnt.no/en/om-oss/contact/about-helse-nord-trondelag/). It also includes two district psychiatric centres, emergency medical communication centre and ambulance service. The hospital trust is committed to health promotion and sustainability, contributes to research on culture and health, and supports the development of best practices within the field.
Director of Intersectoral Collaboration, Sverre Bugge Midthjell, serves as a board member. Physiotherapist Velaug Brenne Leira is the alternate.
Levanger Municipality
Levanger Municipality (https://www.levanger.kommune.no/english/), 20 574 inhabitants, is responsible for primary education, outpatient health services, senior citizen services, welfare and other social services, zoning, economic development, and municipal roads and utilities.
The municipality has integrated its culture and health initiatives into its municipal and cultural planning. Ytterøy Helsetun isa national model institution promoting music-based care for more than 10 years. The municipality's board representative is Public Health Unit Manager Lars Kverkild. Department Head Kristin Haugdahl Nøst is the alternate.
Trøndelag County Authority
Trøndelag Country Authority (https://www.trondelagfylke.no/english/), 482 956 inhabitants, is responsible for developing the region and providing upper secondary education, dental health services and public transportation. It is also in charge of most of the public roads, a variety of cultural activities, environmental issues, and facilitating economic growth and development in the Trøndelag region.
Trøndelag has long been a national leader in culture and health work, particularly through the FOLK1 and FOLK2 projects, which aim to disseminate cultural health initiatives to municipalities across the county. The County runs a national pilot program of “ABC for good mental health” 2023–-2024 (https://www.abcforgodpsykiskhelse.no/) and supervises other counties in implementing the framework as a national campaign from 2025.
The county’s board representative is Section Manager for Culture and Public Health, Jorunn Lilleslett. Public Health Coordinator Kyrre Grue Kvistad is the alternate.
Nord University
Nord University is a young university with strong regional ties and a global perspective (https://www.nord.no/en/about/facts). The University hosts about 11,000 students and 1,300 employees at various study locations. It includes five Faculties, including the Faculty of Education, Arts and Culture, which coordinates two Horizon Europe Pillar 2 Cluster 2 projects (d@rts and INTRACOMP). The Faculty is also a partner on another Cluster 2 project.
As the host institution, Nord University is responsible for the Centre's facilities and operational support, including office premises, as well as IT and financial services, and employer responsibility.The continuing education courses in "Music-based care" and "Art and culture in health and care" are subjects that Nord University collaborates with the competence centre on.
The chairman of the Board of the Centre is subject group leader Hilde Munkeby at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, with subject group leader Ola Marius Ryan at the Faculty of Teacher Education and Arts and Culture as deputy.
Board of the Norwegian Resource Centre for Arts and Health (2025)
- Hilde Munkeby, Chair (Nord University), Alternate: Ola Marius Ryan.
- Kirsti Kvaløy, Deputy Chair (HUNT Research Centre, NTNU), Alternate: Erik R. Sund.
- Lars Kverkild, Board Member (Levanger Municipality), Alternate: Kristin Haugdahl Nøst.
- Sverre Bugge Midthjell, Board Member (Nord-Trøndelag Health Hospital Trust), Alternate: Velaug Brenne Leira.
- Kyrre Kvistad, Board Member (Trøndelag County Authority).
