Leveld

Artists from around the globe are drawn to the small village of Leveld, where local traditions merge with cutting-edge international art. Set amidst the breathtaking landscape of Hallingdal, Leveld’s creative atmosphere is deeply influenced by its natural surroundings, located 700 meters above sea level.

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With her many projects, she’s deeply involved in both the agricultural and cultural life of the village. But more on that later!

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Leveld, with its 300 residents, has long attracted artists seeking inspiration. The majestic surroundings, with easy access to mountain areas like Reineskarvet, Lauvdalsbrea, and Bergsjø, have sparked the creativity of many. In the past, artists would come here to work, staying on local farms and becoming part of the village community. Many of the painters said they were inspired by the unique light in Leveld.

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From the 1880s onwards, artists traveled from far to get here. Gerhard Munthe, known for his landscape paintings, was one of the first. Later, others followed, including Thor Bøhn, Kaare Wildhagen, Hetty Gleditch, Alf Jørgen Aas, and many more.

Writers also found their way to Leveld. Two of Norway’s literary giants, Jens Bjørneboe and Agnar Mykle, built vacation homes here in the 1950s and 60s. Bjørneboe’s cabin still stands, and it is around this very spot that something special has grown. Leveld Kunstnartun, a residency offering free workspaces and housing for artists from all over the world. Visual artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, composers, theater makers, architects, and many others come to Leveld to stay for one to three months, working in studios and workshops.

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-Everyone living around here gets to experience art from all corners of the globe, says Lars Monrad Vaage, director of Leveld Kunstnartun.

-The idea behind Leveld Kunstnartun is to foster exchange, where artists from around the world can come here, live and work for free, and have the space to create. Each year, we host around 25 artists — half of them are international and half are Norwegian, Lars explains.

The Norwegian government funds the Kunstnartun, and in 2025, the support will expand to include travel grants and a monthly stipend. This is great news for the artists and a significant boost for the local community as well.

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-Art is important to many who live here, Lars continues.

-For example, the school children get exposed to a lot of art. Every year we run a program with the local schools, using the work of Rolf Nesch (1893–1975) as inspiration. Nesch was a printmaker who lived here in the village, and his works are displayed in museums worldwide. The students get lessons in art history and printmaking, and then they create their own prints. They come up to Leveld Kunstnartun and use our print studio. At the end, the school kids hold an exhibition where everyone can come and see their work.

Ingunn is certain that growing up in Leveld fosters creativity.

-I actually think kids here get an extra dose of creativity just by being raised in this village. When you look at how the school and kindergarten incorporate local culture and music, I just think we're incredibly culturally fortunate here in Leveld, she says.

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Creative minds in Leveld have plenty of artistic outlets to explore. One of these is Leveld Teaterlag, a local theater group that has been around for over three decades. They’ve performed a variety of plays across different genres, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Spanish Fly, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Leveld also boasts a vibrant folk music scene. Ingunn, a key figure in this community, works on a PhD in Norwegian folk music, and there’s hardly a day without some form of music in her life. She works as a freelancer, teaches at the local cultural school, and serves as a church musician. But instead of playing the organ, Ingunn plays the accordion—a unique choice for a church setting, as she is one of only two people in Norway who do this.

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And that’s not all—she’s also a dancer! In fact, Ingunn won the Norwegian Folk Dance Championship at Landskappleiken in 2024, proving she’s a true combo of energy and talent. You can watch her award-winning dance here.

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Agriculture plays a central role in Leveld, and the village has a truly distinctive look. Leveld is known for its characteristic "mid-slope" farming style, where farms are situated high up on the hillsides, with fields stretching in narrow strips down towards the bottom of the valley. The farms are roughly the same size, creating a sense of symmetry across the landscape. Traditionally, it was easier for farmers to keep their fields below the farmhouses, which is why the farms in Leveld line up like pearls on a string.

One of these farms, located right in the heart of Leveld, is Oleivsgard, home to Ola Terje, Ingunn, their children—and plenty of sheep. And bees. Ingunn and her son also keep eight beehives, producing their own honey.

In addition to "traditional" sheep farming with around 140 winter-fed sheep of the Norwegian White Sheep and Old Norse Sheep breeds, Ingunn has developed a special niche business. She produces yarn from the wool of the Old Norse Sheep, a breed deeply rooted in Norwegian history. The yarn is fully traceable, so customers can learn the story of each individual sheep and its life. She also shares updates on Instagram.

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The landscape they live in has been awarded special recognition by the Norwegian government, designated as a Selected Cultural Landscape in Agriculture (UKL). This title is given to areas of great cultural, historical, biological, and ecological significance, serving as an important quality mark for the region. And Leveld checks off the list for sure.

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In Leveld, residents work in a wide range of professions, from entrepreneurs and carpenters to teachers, healthcare workers, and other municipal employees. Some commute to work, while others are employed locally. And, as mentioned earlier, there’s a thriving international art community centered around Leveld Kunstnartun. With the surrounding mountains, the village offers endless opportunities for outdoor activities, unspoiled nature, and crystal-clear air. The cultural scene also plays a key role in making Leveld a lively and, most importantly, social place.

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-It’s a welcoming place for newcomers, says Lars.

-We have so many passionate people in Leveld, so new residents are greeted warmly.

Ingunn wholeheartedly agrees.

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