ÁRDNA - The University Sámi Cultural House
The Centre for Sámi Studies at the University of Tromsø has the primary responsibility for the University Sámi Cultural House. The word "árdna" means a place with a treasure or something of value. Árdna, along with Joho Niilas’s "gamme" (Sámi style turf hut) forms the center of a distinct Sámi cultural landscape on campus. In addition, the new offices for the Center for Sámi Studies are housed next to these two special buildings.

 

The building is in the shape of a half-moon and blends in seamlessly in the same space of the "gamme", right next to the Labyrinth on campus. A walkway has been made from the den of the administration building past the new Sámi cultural house and over towards the Centre for Sámi Studies, in building 2 (Hus 2).  Árdna is located in a cultural landscape beginning at the highest point of the island of Tromsø, extending downward towards Joho Niilas’s gamme ("goahti" in the Sámi language) and the Labyrinth, and continuing onwards with a view towards the other side of the sound to Troms Valley with its Sámi history and the Troms Valley Peak.

The cultural house consists of one large room which can be used for meetings and displays. Ivar Jåks sculpture, Stille vender tanken, (In Quiet Contemplation) is also on display in this room. The Sámi artist Jon Ole Andersen from Karasjok has played a pivotal role in the design of the building.

Árdna and Joho Nillas’s "gamme" (turf hut) are valuable and beautiful buildings which must be used and treated with respect. Árdna provides the University with a gathering place with a special setting that is suitable for meetings, small seminars, and displays. The house may not be used for parties.

Contact, Visiting, Borrowing and Renting

Contact: The Centre for Sámi Studies has the responsibility for planning the use of these buildings. Whether you intend to visit or organize events in Árdna, it is important to contact the Centre well in advance to ensure its availability at the desired time.

In case scheduled events coincide, priority will be given to important events planned or sponsored by the Centre or other University entities. This also applies to external requests booked for Árdna, when these coincide with unforeseen official University events.

If you are interested in visiting Árdna, please contact the Centre for Sámi Studies at: ardna@sami.uit.no or call
(+47) 77645534/77646901.

Generally the following rules for the use of Árdna apply:

Borrowing: During working hours between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Árdna may be used by entities of the University of Tromsø. Árdna is not adapted for use involving, for example, Power Point presentations and overhead projectors. If the building is to be used after working hours for meetings etc. by entities of the University of Tromsø, the regular University rules of building use apply.

For instructions click here ....

Renting: The University is currently developing new rules with regard to the extent and price of renting University facilities. Pending the development of the new rules, external parties with adjunct professional status at the University may contact the Centre for further clarification and for possible rental agreements at: ardna@sami.uit.no or call (+47) 77645534/77646901.

Key: The key may be borrowed at the Centre for Sámi Studies rooms 2220/2223. A demand for compensation will be made in the event of damages to the facility or inventory within as a result of borrowing/rental.

Use of the Kitchen: Árdna includes a kitchen fully equipped for use. However the use of the kitchen requires prior agreement.

Exhibits: Árdna is also suitable for exhibits of artworks et.al. Other uses will have to be somewhat curtailed in the event of exhibits.