Vision

REFRACT aims to contribute to a more diverse and dynamic art scene where queer artists can develop on their own terms. We seek to expand what art can be, how it is presented, and who it is accessible to. In the long term, our goal is to build a sustainable platform for experimental and interdisciplinary art production that strengthens queer art and culture within a broader public sphere.

Purpose

REFRACT’s purpose is to develop, produce, and present artistic projects rooted in queer perspectives and experiences. Through our work, we facilitate experimental and interdisciplinary practices while creating space for artistic development, collaboration, and exchange. We are committed to strengthening the visibility and representation of queer artists and expressions, and continuously seek to explore and challenge established formats and modes of presentation. By supporting artistic processes from initial idea to completed project, REFRACT functions as a comprehensive platform for innovative art.

Values

REFRACT is grounded in principles of queer and trans-inclusive culture, where diversity and accessibility form the foundation of everything we do. We strive to be a driving force for anti-discrimination and engage in critical reflection on power structures and representation within the art world.

For us, the artistic process is just as important as the final result. That is why we build our projects on consent-based and respectful collaboration, shaped by openness and responsible organization. We value creative freedom and actively work to create safer spaces for our artists, audiences, and volunteers.

We need more people on the team!

Getting involved in REFRACT is about more than art — it’s about helping build an inclusive and vibrant platform for queer art and culture from the ground up. With us, you’ll have the opportunity to challenge yourself creatively, develop new skills, and contribute to creating space for voices that are too often underrepresented in the art world.

Through REFRACT, you can collaborate with artists, galleries, queer and non-queer organizations, while also becoming part of a creative and social community. We believe in collaboration over competition, and we aim to create an environment where people can meet, exchange ideas, and develop projects together.

The work does not only consist of planning and organizing exhibitions, open calls, and events, but also of enjoyable board meetings, creative hangouts, and social gatherings where we build community and shape REFRACT together.

Art Jury

REFRACT’s art jury is an independent professional body that ensures the platform’s artistic quality and relevance. The jury works independently to select works based on artistic strength, conceptual depth, and the work’s ability to engage in dialogue with contemporary discourses.

A central principle for us is that the jurying process is based on the actual content and relevance of the work, rather than the artist’s formal education, previous exhibition history, or position within the established art world. By prioritizing artistic potential and message over traditional credentials, the jury ensures a curatorial whole that reflects a genuine diversity of queer forms of expression. Their mandate is to uphold the artistic standard of our projects, ensuring that REFRACT emerges as a professional, bold, and accessible platform for all artists.

Matilda Höög (she/her)

JURY MEMBER

Eilen Austli is a photographic artist, physiotherapist, and the founder of LYSIKUNST. Through fine art photography, she explores presence, reflection, and human experience. She has a strong belief in the power of the visual image and seeks, through her art, to convey light, hope, comfort, and strength. Nature and light are central sources of inspiration in her work.

Since 2021, she has regularly participated in the photography workshops Artistic Vision and Visual Illusions with photographic artist and teacher Connie Imboden, and has also collaborated and exhibited alongside international artists. She has exhibited in Barcelona and received the Steinkjer Grant 2022 from the Steinkjer Craft and Industry Association Foundation.

She served as a jury member for the visual arts professional panel during the UKM Regionfestival in 2025 and 2026, and participated as a “Living Book” during the Hilmarfestivalen in 2024. She has received several honorable mentions for her photographic art, both in Norway and internationally.

See more about her background, exhibitions, and photographic art under “About” and “Gallery” at eilenaustli.no.

Vi søker deg!

1-2 JURYMEDLEMMER

Vi søker deg som ønsker å være med i REFRACT sin kunstjury. Du kan være kunstner, faglig utdannet, selvlært eller ha erfaring og interesse for kunstfeltet på andre måter. Det viktigste for oss er at du møter kunst med nysgjerrighet, åpenhet og respekt for ulike uttrykk og perspektiver.

Juryen vil bidra i vurderingen av innsendte verk til våre open calls og utstillinger. Vi er særlig interessert i personer som ønsker å løfte frem mangfoldige, eksperimentelle og marginaliserte stemmer innen kunst og kultur.

Vi oppfordrer spesielt skeive personer til å søke, men det er ikke et krav for å være en del av kunstjuryen.

QUALITY AND SAFETY

Matilda Höög is an Oslo-based visual artist holding an MFA from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and a BFA from the Trondheim Academy of Fine Art. Working across painting, printmaking, needle felting, and drawing, her practice explores relationships, everyday observations, social situations, and sensory contrasts through a tactile and material-oriented approach.

She has established herself within the Norwegian contemporary art scene through exhibitions at venues and institutions including the Autumn Exhibition (Høstutstillingen), the Eastern Norway Exhibition (Østlandsutstillingen), Trondheim Kunstforening, Galleri 69, Tenthaus, Kösk, and Norske Grafikere, and has also participated in a group exhibition in Vienna. Upcoming projects include exhibitions at KB Contemporary in Oslo and Hamar Kunstforening.

Höög has received several grants from institutions including Arts Council Norway and the Norwegian Visual Artists Fund, including working grants for emerging artists. Her works have been acquired by both the City of Oslo and the City of Trondheim.

Read more about Matilda and her work at matildahoog.com/start/

Eilen Austli (she/her)

JURY MEMBER

Ombud

The Ombudsperson in REFRACT serves as an independent and autonomous body that ensures safety, integrity, and ethical standards for everyone involved in the organization. As a neutral point of contact for artists, volunteers, and members, the ombudsperson operates independently from the board’s day-to-day activities in order to guarantee impartiality in their assessments. By providing a safe space for guidance and the handling of potential challenges, the ombudsperson helps uphold REFRACT as an inclusive and professional platform for queer culture.

REFRACT is seeking 1–2 local ombudspersons in Trondheim who can help ensure safety, communication, and accountability within the organization. You will serve as an independent point of contact for members, volunteers, and collaborators who may need support, guidance, or assistance in handling conflicts and boundary-crossing situations.

We are looking for someone who listens well, treats people with respect, and is able to act calmly, neutrally, and compassionately in a variety of situations. Experience in organizational work, HR, social work, or similar fields is an advantage, but not a requirement.

An interest in art, culture, or queer communities is a plus, and we are especially looking for individuals who share our values of inclusion, anti-discrimination, and safer spaces. This role is not about “taking sides,” but about contributing to constructive processes and dialogue.

For this role, we are seeking individuals with a connection to Trondheim or the Trøndelag region.

Send a short email with your motivation and background to: styret@refract.no

We’re looking for you!

2 LOCAL OMBUDSPERSONS

Anne Evjen Dahl is 52 years old and lives in Tromsø with her wife Helene, their two daughters, and two adult stepchildren. After 15 years working as a general practitioner and in rehabilitation, she gradually shifted her professional focus toward the therapy room. Since 2012, she has run her own practice as a psychotherapist and art therapist — a field she remains deeply committed to.

Throughout her career, she has combined an interest in health and art. She holds a two-year education in visual arts from Nydalen Kunst School, and is continuously involved in creative projects across different forms of expression and media. Her experience as leader of the Homopolaris student association, later as a union representative for junior doctors, and as a board member of the Art Therapy Association has given her a strong understanding of the importance of listening, building community, and advocating for others’ interests.

She now wishes to use this experience to serve as a clear, warm, and accessible ombudsperson for queer artists in REFRACT.

Anne Evjen Dahl (she/her)

EXTERNAL OMBUDSPERSON

Board

REFRACT is in an exciting early stage, and we are now looking for committed people who want to join our board. We aim to build a solid organization with a board consisting of a chairperson, deputy chairperson, financial officer, secretary, and board members.

At present, two of us are running the platform, and we need more minds and hearts to ensure the overall organizational and legal responsibility for the organization.

Hylja Dragsta Häninger (she/they)

CHAIRPERSON AND CO-FOUNDER

We’re looking for you!
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON

We’re looking for you!
SECRETARY

We’re looking for you!
FINANCIAL OFFICER

Emmanuel Hølaas (he)
BOARD MEMBER / CO-FOUNDER

We’re looking for you!
2 BOARD MEMBERS

Hylja is a co-founder and chair of REFRACT, with extensive experience in organizational leadership and board work. She has held several significant board positions, including serving as the head of a national art association. With a background as a gallery director and experience in project management, she has a deep understanding of both the administrative and artistic fields.

Hylja holds further education in art and expressive therapy, as well as studies in architecture and psychology at the NTNU. She has a strong social engagement, particularly in the prevention of sexual abuse and in public education about sexuality. This background gives her a unique perspective on art as a tool for reflection and safety.

As early as 2001, she completed a three-month Artist-in-Residence stay with the British activist and artist Ken Sprague. This experience with activist art continues to influence her work in creating open spaces for queer expression. In REFRACT, she combines her strong commitment to art communication with broad leadership experience to ensure a stable and professional development of the organization.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is structured and solution-oriented: You enjoy keeping track of details and ensuring progress in our projects.

• Has strong collaboration skills: You are a bridge-builder who contributes to a positive working environment between the board and the creative team.

• Is engaged in queer culture: You are passionate about creating a safe platform for queer art in Trondheim.

• Thrives with responsibility: You are self-driven and take initiative where you see the organization needs a boost.

• Lives in Trondheim or the surrounding area

We are looking for someone who:

• Is structured and punctual: You are good at summarizing discussions in clear minutes and ensuring that all board members have access to up-to-date information.

• Has strong written communication skills: You enjoy writing and communicating clearly, whether it’s internal documents or formal correspondence.

• Is comfortable with digital tools: This role can be performed remotely from anywhere in the country. You will be responsible for our digital archive and collaboration tools.

• Is organized and self-driven: You like keeping track of deadlines and documentation, and you see the value of good routines in a newly established organization.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is precise and structured: You like keeping things in order and ensure that deadlines for reporting and payments are met.

• Has financial understanding: You have experience with or an interest in basic accounting, budgeting, and preferably grant writing for cultural funding.

• Works well digitally: This role is not location-bound to Trondheim. As long as you are available for digital board meetings and have a stable internet connection, you can live anywhere in the country.

• Is socially engaged: You see the value of using your financial expertise to promote queer art and culture.

Emmanuel is a co-founder of REFRACT and brings a strong artistic foundation to the platform. He is a recognized visual artist specializing in hyperrealism, educated at, among others, Einar Granum Kunstfagskole and through mentorship under the internationally renowned Dirk Dzimirsky.

Through his artistic practice, Emmanuel has shown a strong commitment to queer visibility. In 2023–2024, he portrayed Norwegian queer icons on commission for Steinkjer Pride, and he has exhibited his work both nationally and internationally, including in London. As a member of organizations such as Norske Billedkunstnere (NBK) and Tegnerforbundet, he combines professional experience with a strong commitment to elevating queer voices in the art field.

Within REFRACT, Emmanuel serves as an important curatorial resource and strategic advisor, where his experience ranging from solo exhibitions to jury work helps ensure a high artistic standard within the organization.

We are looking for someone who:

• Lives in or near Trondheim: We are looking for a board member who can attend in-person meetings, social gatherings, and our events.

• Is engaged and reflective: You have your own perspectives on art communication and are passionate about creating space for queer perspectives in the local community.

• Is hands-on and present: You enjoy being “where things happen,” whether it’s at an exhibition opening or in the planning phase of a new project.

• Is a team player: You contribute positive energy and collaborate well with both the founders and the rest of the creative team.

LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION

Deg som vil bidra i det kunstfaglige arbeidet med utvelgelse og utforming av utstillingsrommet

Hedda Estensen

CONTENT CREATOR

Artistic Leadership

Communication

Hedda is 38 years old and originally from Bodø, Norway. During her childhood, she spent three years living in Belgium, where she attended an international school and participated in several theatre productions. These experiences helped shape her perspectives on art, culture, literature, and society. Today, she lives in Trondheim, where she works with writing and photography.

Hedda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Roehampton and a Master of Arts in Digital Film and Television Production from the University of York. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, women's health, diversity, equality, and the prevention of domestic violence.

From an early age, Hedda was fascinated by psychology. She draws on this interest, along with her curiosity about individuals and society, as a foundation for storytelling and communication. In 2024–25, she taught courses in digital photography, focusing on photography as a resource for health and well-being.

Hedda has worked as a communications advisor, news and culture journalist, and vocational and homeroom teacher at upper secondary school level. She has contributed to the production of several short films and music videos in both Norway and the United Kingdom, as well as a web series and a children's television series.

Creative and operative roles

REFRACT is growing, and we are looking for passionate and engaged people who want to help develop a platform for queer art and culture.

Through exhibitions, events, public engagement, and artistic projects, we work to amplify queer voices and create new spaces for dialogue between art, identity, and society.

Today, the organisation is led by a board of three members and supported by a growing team with expertise in artistic leadership, curating, content creation, graphic design, and cultural mediation. Together, we are working to strengthen REFRACT as a visible and inclusive platform for queer art in Norway.

As REFRACT continues to grow, we are looking to connect with people who can contribute to project development, event production, volunteer coordination, fundraising and grant writing, artistic development, and other areas that support our mission.

We believe in collaboration, diversity, and community, and we welcome new voices, perspectives, and ideas to help shape the future of REFRACT.

Hylja Dragsta Häninger
CREATIVE LEADER

Emmanuel Hølaas
ART CURATOR

We’re looking for you!
ART CURATOR

Contact

Reach out for submissions or questions

Email

post@refract.no

© REFRACT 2026. All rights reserved.