State budget as expected for the Norwegian Academy of Music

There is no immediate crisis at the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH), but there is concern for the years ahead. NMH received NOK 339 million in 2025, compared to NOK 345 million in 2026. However, when adjusted for inflation, this represents a real-term decrease.

– The allocation allows us to continue providing high-quality education, artistic research, and academic research within the resources we've been granted, says Director Kristel Jæger Skorge.

– It is a projected real-term reduction, but it is not dramatic for the institution in the short term, as we implemented several necessary cuts when we restructured NMH a few years ago.

The director believes that the allocation is sufficient to operate the academy responsibly. She emphasises that the most essential task for the coming year is to achieve effective organisational development in both the music disciplines and administration.

– The students and staff need a solid process that ensures NMH continues to operate effectively.

At the same time, Skorge is worried that arts education may face greater challenges in the years ahead, given the current focus on defence, health, and technology.

She also notes that NMH's proposals for additional funding made last year – such as increased resources for facilities and new PhD positions – were not granted funding.

• The proposed state budget for 2026 allocates the Norwegian Academy of Music a total of NOK 345 million, an increase of NOK 5.9 million compared to 2025.
• Salary and price growth are compensated at 3.6% (NOK 12 million).
• The biggest drawback for NMH is the continued reduction in student places, a trend that has been particularly evident since the pandemic.
• NMH also faces a reduction of NOK 2.5 million due to reprioritisations within the sector. All universities and colleges must contribute funds to these initiatives, referred to in the state budget as "reallocated funding for initiatives." NMH itself will not receive any of the newly announced initiatives.
• There has also been a decrease of NOK 816,000 in performance-based funding. This reduction is related to a slight decline in the number of study credits produced, which represents normal fluctuations for a higher education institution.
• No funding has been allocated for new facilities for the Norwegian Academy of Music. As mentioned, NMH will not benefit from the Government's "reallocated funding for initiatives." On the contrary, the smallest reduction is a decrease of NOK 32,000 in NMH's allocation due to the Government's efforts to ensure that the state rents more efficient office spaces. This reduction is the same as the previous year and is related to NMH vacating the premises at Furuholmen.