Wideroe has received funding from the Intro Foundation to conduct a pilot project where she will study the need and interest in a Center for Northern Norway Design and Architecture in Tromsø.

 

 (Photo: Nordlys newspaper)

During the next year, Wideroe will organize three architectural exhibitions and a design workshop. The first exhibition opens at Tromsø Kunstforening on June 15, on the subject of northern Norwegian architecture.

 

- I've always been interested in design and architecture, and when I came to Tromsø and Northern Norway 14 years ago I noticed that there was no place to turn for information on this subject. There is such a place in Oslo, DogA, but one cannot travel down there every time one needs information. Slowly, the idea matured, and now I'm on my way. smiled Widerøe.

During her years in Tromsø Michele has achieved a master's degree in art history, she has become an interior designer, and now she works at one of the city's architects office, and participates in Kvinnovasjon Troms and in Global Future porgram, a management training course  for foreign with higher education.

Need more positive forces

- After I joined the Kvinnovasjon program things began to take shape. It is difficult to say that "now I will start a design and Architecture center" when you do not know anyone. And, also, the fact that I think something is important does not mean other people think so, too. That is why I am now investigating whether there is an interest in this hoping for a good response, says Widerøe.

Having participated in the organization of the "architecture year" last year, she affirms:

- There came, among other things, 500 people and walked along the  seafront in the rain and strong wind! It shows that people care.

Through exhibitions and workshops Widerøe will create contacts, people she hopes would like to get on board. At the end of year activities she will have references and will be able to continue working toward the common goal of creating a design and architecture center.

- I cannot do this alone. I would really like to get in contact with the positive forces in the north; people who will find that this sounds interesting and perhaps will help. Currently, the North Norwegian Architecture Association is on the team, and this is great. There are both designers and architects of international class here in the region. But there is no common arena where their works can be presented. And there are lots of wonderful projects that deserve attention, Widerøe said.

Architecture and design for all

She wants a center for design and architecture that should focus on North Norway and the northern Norwegian architecture and that it should be open to crossover projects, available for people in general, both the man in the street, tourists, and those within the discipline.

Widerøe is aware that such a type of center can be costly.

- Renting a space for the center will be the most expensive . Hopefully we have a municipality that recognizes the need for such a center, which helps us with a place for it. So, we can spend the money on activities instead, she smiles hopefully, adding:

- But such a center doesn´t need to be big and expensive. The important thing is that there is a place that reflects what we have in this region.

Potential

Arne Wilhelm Theodorsen in Intro Fund says Widerøe’s idea of ​​a design and architecture center in the north is easy to support. Widerøe received 240,000 kroner from Intro to implement the pilot project.

- Michele has a good idea that can provide business benefit. She is very credible and has very good references, as well as she has pinpointed an obvious need, we have regionally. For a center to be created it requires initiative and we think Michele will implement the first phase of the project. It is beneficial for us in Intro. We support many projects in different cultural forms, it was time that we arrived on the scene also with design and  architecture, says Theodorsen.