Office for Contemporary Art Norway appoints Mike Sperlinger as Head of Programme

The Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Sperlinger as the new Head of Programme. In his role, Sperlinger will spearhead OCA’s public programme, reinforcing the organization’s standing as a leading contemporary arts institution while exploring fresh opportunities for growth and development.

Mike Sperlinger’s Impressive Background

Mike Sperlinger, currently the acting Dean at the Oslo Academy of Fine Art, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Serving as Professor of Writing and Theory since 2013, Sperlinger has an extensive professional history. Before joining the Oslo Academy, he served as the assistant director of LUX, a London-based organization for artists working with the moving image, which he co-founded in 2002. At LUX, Sperlinger played a pivotal role in overseeing Europe’s largest collection of artists’ film and video. He contributed to numerous screenings, exhibitions, and projects, collaborating with artists and institutions globally.

Sperlinger’s recent curatorial projects include noteworthy shows in the U.K. and Germany with the late German artist Marianne Wex, the exhibition “Counterimaginaries” at Tromsø Kunstforening, and “The Social Life of Film,” an international congress of ‘nomadic screening collectives’ held earlier this year in Copenhagen. His extensive writing portfolio includes catalogue texts for artists such as Ed Atkins, Gerard Byrne, and Laure Prouvost. Additionally, he has edited several books, including “Afterthought: New Writing on Conceptual Art” (2005) and “Here Is Information. Mobilise – Selected Writings by Ian White” (2016).

Director Ruben Steinum’s Perspective

OCA’s Director, Ruben Steinum, expressed enthusiasm about Sperlinger joining the team, stating, “Mike has demonstrated deep insight and knowledge about the global and Norwegian art scene, coupled with an interest in developing structures that foster international connections and activity for artists and the visual art field. With Mike as part of the team, we are ready to continue strengthening global connectivity and developing new platforms, models, and ways to engage with audiences.”

Sperlinger’s Perspective

Quoted below, Sperlinger shared his excitement about the upcoming role, which he will assume on the 1st of March 2024: “I first discovered the Norwegian art scene through OCA back when I was still working in London, and projects like ‘Whatever Happened to Sex in Scandinavia?’ and ‘Let The River Flow’ are still reference points for me. OCA has always represented the importance of thinking about art, culture, and solidarity with an international horizon – something which feels more urgent than ever. It’s incredibly exciting to be joining the team at OCA and to have a chance to build on that history.”