The International Museum of Children’s Art in Oslo
The International Museum of Children’s Art (Norwegian: Barnekunstmuseet) in Oslo is the world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to art made by children, founded in 1986 by Rafael Goldin. With a collection drawn from over 150 countries, the museum presents children’s drawings, paintings, ceramics, and textiles as genuine artistic expression, not merely educational material, and has built an internationally recognised collection of extraordinary breadth and depth. Located in the Frogner district of Oslo, the museum operates a lively programme of exhibitions and workshops that engage children and families as both audiences and active makers.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialist art museum — children’s art from around the world
- Period
- Founded 1986; one of the world’s oldest institutions of its kind
- Style
- International collection; housed in an early 20th-century Oslo building
- Location
- Lille Frøens vei, Frogner, Oslo, Norway · 59.9357° N, 10.7094° E
- Founder
- Rafael Goldin
- Collection scope
- Over 150 countries represented; drawings, paintings, ceramics, textiles
- Current use
- Active museum with permanent and temporary exhibitions and creative workshops
Overview
By treating children’s art as a legitimate and autonomous form of human expression rather than a pedagogical by-product, the International Museum of Children’s Art occupies a unique position in the global museum landscape. Its collection spans continents and cultures, bringing together works produced by children from vastly different social, economic, and artistic contexts, and presenting them with the same curatorial seriousness accorded to adult fine art. The museum has attracted international recognition as a pioneer in the cross-cultural study of creative expression.
History
Rafael Goldin founded the museum in Oslo in 1986, driven by the conviction that children’s art reveals a universal creative capacity that crosses all cultural and political boundaries. In its early years, the museum assembled works through international outreach, donation drives, and partnerships with schools and cultural institutions around the world. Over four decades, the collection has grown to encompass hundreds of thousands of works, making it the most comprehensive archive of children’s art in existence. The museum’s founding philosophy — that a child’s drawing deserves the same gallery wall as an adult’s — remains its guiding principle today.
What you see
The museum’s galleries display a rotating selection from the permanent collection alongside themed temporary exhibitions, with hanging heights and interpretive panels pitched accessibly at younger visitors without condescension. Works range from spontaneous crayon drawings to sophisticated ceramics and woven textiles, illustrating the astonishing variety of children’s visual languages across cultures. A dedicated workshop space invites visiting children to make their own art on site, creating a living connection between the collection and its audiences.
Cultural significance
The museum has influenced thinking about children’s creativity in education, psychology, and cultural policy internationally, providing a base for researchers and practitioners who study the universality of visual expression. Its cross-cultural collection has been cited as evidence that creativity is not culturally determined but is a common human endowment that manifests differently according to context. As the world’s first institution of its kind, it continues to set a standard for how children’s art can be collected, preserved, and respected.
Practical information
The museum is open year-round, with hours varying by season. Admission is charged; reduced rates for children and families. Check the museum’s official website for current exhibitions, workshop schedules, and opening times. School group bookings can be arranged in advance.
Getting there
The museum is located in the Frogner district of Oslo, close to Frogner Park (Vigelandsanlegget). Several bus routes serve the area; the nearest stop is a short walk from the museum entrance. From Oslo city centre the journey takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes by public transport. Check Ruter for current connections.