Art Decoration of the Common Building at the University of
the Faroe Islands
We invite artists to participate in a competition to create artworks for the new campus building of the University of the Faroe Islands.
The Common Building at Frælsið will be a gathering place for students, staff, and the general public. It will primarily house shared areas, study zones, group rooms, an auditorium, administration, a canteen, and a café. Outdoor areas will also surround the building.
Approximately DKK 4.5 million has been allocated for the artistic decoration of the Common Building. The art committee has decided to launch the project as a public competition, giving everyone the opportunity to submit proposals. The competition will be conducted in three phases, with the first phase being anonymous
1.1 Vision for the Art
The artworks should reflect the core and identity – the DNA – of our university: a vibrant meeting between tradition and innovation, academic progress and respect for cultural heritage, nature, and society.
The University is characterized by a spirit closely tied to the faroese language, landscape, history, and living cultural life. Art can inspire, spark curiosity and pride, and support an environment where learning, creativity, and community thrive side by side.
We seek art that convincingly captures and communicates the university’s role as a center for knowledge, development, and preservation of cultural identity, as well as innovation and global outlook. The art should add value for the building’s users and be of high artistic quality, while fitting the activities and spaces of the university.
Artists are encouraged to think progressively, creatively, and sustainably, and to reflect on how the artwork can integrate with the architectural space. This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting mark on our university, where we shape the future together while honoring culture and identity.
1.2 Location of the Art
The framework for the art is divided into outdoor and indoor areas.
1.2.1 Outdoor
The overall outdoor campus area will likely evolve in the coming years, making it difficult to integrate art into the entire campus. Therefore, this art project focuses on the Common Building and its immediate surroundings.
The Setur Garden in Nóatún will be an enclosed garden with good sunlight, diverse vegetation, and various seating options. It is intended to be a cozy outdoor space for university members, guests, and the neighborhood.
The garden includes many exciting spots for enjoyment and use. The main entrance to the Business College is at the eastern end, and the Marine Research Institute’s entrance is in the southern corner. The Common Building will be located along the northern side, with entrances and seating areas extending from the canteen and common square.
The lower part of the garden will allow for drop-off and pick-up by private cars, with designated parking only for people with mobility impairments.
The outdoor area will be paved with concrete and natural stone tiles, interspersed with beds of trees, shrubs, and flowers.
There are many possibilities for the placement and expression of outdoor artworks.
1.2.2 Indoor
The art should be placed in the public areas of the building. From the western facade at Frælsið to the eastern facade toward the city center, the main public corridor runs through the building. Indoor artworks may become part of this corridor space, either as one or several pieces that occupy the space or interact with visitors.
The corridor follows the natural slope of the land, descending about two floors from Frælsið to the Business College. It is mostly an open space up to the roof, interrupted only by platforms and bridges connecting the upper floors. The roof includes skylights that should allow light to reach as far down as possible. Any artwork here should maintain light and visibility.
At the eastern end, near the open facades facing the National Library, the corridor ends in a larger space that connects the canteen, café, study areas on the upper floors, and reading zones on the lower floor. This space receives ample daylight through the facades and partially through the roof. Artworks here may be floor-based, suspended, digital, immaterial, or otherwise, but must balance interaction with the space, materials, and light—especially preserving the view toward Tinganes.
Floors in public areas on the 1st and 2nd levels will be polished concrete. Most other floors will be timber. Walls will primarily be timber, and ceilings will be sound-absorbing wood-concrete panels. Structural elements like columns, beams, and trusses will be visible glued laminated timber.
2.0 Information Meeting
An information meeting for interested artists will be held in Kongshøll at the Maritime House, Vestaru Bryggju 15, Tórshavn, on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 14:00–15:00. The Art Committee will present the ideas behind the competition and answer questions. Participation via Teams is possible by emailing krhe@lv.fo to receive a link. The meeting will be in Faroese.
3.0 Competition Process
3.1 Selection Process
Phase 1 (Idea Phase – 6 weeks): Anyone may submit anonymous proposals according to the submission guidelines (see attachments on Dalux). Multiple proposals may be submitted, each separately. Artists may also form groups. Up to 10 artworks will be selected for Phase 2. Names will be revealed to the committee after selection. Phase 2 (Sketch Phase – 6 weeks): Detailed criteria will be provided to selected participants.
Each selected proposal receives DKK 25,000 for development. Artists will present their proposals to the committee (30 minutes presentation + 15 minutes Q&A). Presentations will be held at Landsverk, Yviri við Strond 17, Tórshavn, or online. 1–5 artists/groups will be chosen to realize their artwork. Contracts and compensation will be agreed upon. Phase 3 (Project Phase and Realization): Artworks must be completed and installed when the Common Building opens.
3.2 Funding
DKK 4.5 million is allocated and shared between the winning art projects, covering all costs and compensation. Additional funding from grants may allow for expansion or inclusion of more artists.
3.3 Evaluation Criteria
- Artistic quality and originality
- Alignment with the vision and framework
- Feasibility regarding budget, sustainability, timeline, operation, and maintenance
3.4 Requirements
The artwork will be a permanent part of the building and must withstand heavy use. Materials
must be durable and suitable for the building’s functions, traffic, and lighting.
3.5 Submission Materials (Phase 1)
A written and possibly visual proposal describing the artistic idea. Include a brief description of
how the art relates to the location and users. Max 3 A4 pages including text and visuals. Submit
anonymously as a single PDF via Dalux: Yviri við Strond 17 // Postsmoga 78 // FO-110 Tórshavn // Tel. +298 340 800 // lv@lv.fo // www.landsverk.fo
https://build.dalux.com/client/da-dk/public/tender/TID-355675675962648336
Use a 5-digit code, chosen at your discretion, to label the anonymous proposal. Breach of
anonymity may result in disqualification.
4.0 Art Committee
Name Title Representing
Dagmar Malena Winther Art Historian National Gallery of the Faroe Islands
Bárður Dal Christiansen Architect, Artist Faroese Visual Artists
Ósbjørn Jacobsen Architect, Director Henning Larsen North Atlantic
Johan Ísak Suni Hansen Managing Director University of the Faroe Islands
Terji Beder Advisor Ministry of Education and Culture
Bárður í Baianstovu Architectural Designer Landsverk
5.0 Questions
Questions may be submitted via Dalux until october 24, 2025, at 14:00.
6.0 Timeline
Event Date
Competition announced September 18, 2025
Information meeting October 3, 2025
Phase 1 submission deadline October 29, 2025, 14:00
Selected artists for Phase 2 notified November 5, 2025
Phase 2 presentations December 1, 2025
Winners announced and contracts signed Mid-December 2025
7.0 Competition Materials- This competition brief
- Submission guidelines – (FO: Mannagongd fyri innlating)
- Suggested locations for art (FO: Uppskot til staðseting av list, við tekningum)
- 3D model of the building: https://cloud.chaos.com/collaboration/file/Tw9punDxEDrTK1fUC9TVGx
- Video walkthrough of the Common Building
- History of the University
- Strategy Plan 2030 of the Universit
8.0 Translations - All artists that need to translate the competition material to an other language than faroese, are held responsible for the quality and correctness of the translation. The competition material is in faroese, a part from this competition brief.
