Collection
Sparebankstiftelsen DNB’s collection
Sparebankstiftelsen DNB’s collection is a collection in Oslo Municipality, Norway.
About Sparebankstiftelsen DNB’s collection
Overview
Sparebankstiftelsen DNB is an independent Norwegian foundation established in 2002, serving as the second-largest shareholder in the financial services company DNB. Its primary mandate is to safeguard the savings bank tradition by channeling dividends from its shareholding into public benefit projects across Norway. The foundation is distinctively known for its dual cultural focus: managing a significant fine art collection deposited in museums nationwide and operating Dextra Musica, a prestigious collection of world-class string instruments loaned to musicians. Since its inception, the foundation has donated over NOK 15 billion to charitable causes, supporting thousands of projects ranging from children's activities to major museum acquisitions.
History & Founding
The foundation was created in 2002 following the merger of two major banks, Christiania Sparebank and Den norske Bank, which formed DnB. As part of the restructuring, the savings bank tradition was preserved through the establishment of this independent foundation. The foundation owns approximately eight percent of the shares in DNB, with dividends used exclusively for socially beneficial projects. In 2005, the foundation expanded its cultural mandate by founding the instrument fund Dextra Musica. The same year, it began its systematic acquisition of fine art, having spent approximately €400 million on art acquisitions since 1999 to support Norwegian museums and fill gaps in national collections.
Art Collection Strategy & Highlights
The foundation's art collection strategy focuses on acquiring works that are underrepresented in Norwegian public collections, often in collaboration with museums. Key holdings include an extensive collection of German Expressionism (Kirchner, Schmidt-Rottluff, Nolde, Münter, Macke, Heckel) deposited at the National Museum to contextualize Edvard Munch's work. The foundation also owns a major collection of Nikolai Astrup's paintings and graphics, permanently housed at KODE in Bergen, and the largest public collection of Kurt Schwitters' works outside Germany, located at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Other significant areas include a Warhol collection featuring Munch paraphrases at Haugar Vestfold Art Museum, a focus on female pioneers like Louise Bourgeois and Barbara Hepworth, and a photography collection of US urban motifs deposited at Lillehammer and Drammens museums.
Dextra Musica Instrument Collection
Established in 2005, Dextra Musica is a world-renowned collection of stringed instruments owned by the foundation. The collection includes some of the most prominent instruments globally, such as Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù violins. Unlike a static museum display, the core mission of Dextra Musica is to make these instruments accessible to established and talented musicians through a loan system. This initiative aims to promote classical music performance in Norway by ensuring that high-caliber instruments are available to artists who might otherwise lack access to them, thereby supporting the country's musical culture and education.
Sentralen: Cultural Venue & Architecture
In 2016, the foundation opened Sentralen in the center of Oslo, a major cultural hub housed in a historic building that originally served as the headquarters for Christiania Sparebank. The foundation transformed this architectural landmark into a versatile venue for performing arts, social innovation, and cultural gatherings. Sentralen features multiple stages, production spaces, a restaurant, and a café, serving as a physical manifestation of the foundation's commitment to cultural infrastructure. The building stands as a significant example of adaptive reuse, preserving the heritage of the savings bank tradition while providing a modern space for artistic and community activities.
Significance & Legacy
Sparebankstiftelsen DNB has profoundly influenced Norway's cultural landscape by filling critical gaps in public museum collections and supporting the preservation of artistic heritage. Its targeted acquisitions of German Expressionism, Nikolai Astrup, and Kurt Schwitters have significantly enhanced the visibility of these artists in Norway. The foundation's unique model of depositing art in various museums rather than maintaining a single private gallery ensures broad public access. Furthermore, its support for female artists and the Dextra Musica instrument fund demonstrates a commitment to diversity and excellence in the arts. With over 11,000 projects supported and billions in donations, the foundation remains a cornerstone of Norwegian philanthropy and cultural development.