Kari Roll-Matthiesen is the new director of Kistefos Museum
August 24, 2022
Kari Roll-Matthiesen has been a member of the management team at ARK Bokhandel for the last three and half years. Prior to that, she worked at Hadeland Glassverk for thirteen years, of which the last six years as managing director.
New director Kari Roll-Matthiesen. Photo: Private.
- I am incredibly proud and happy to be working at Kistefos! Kistefos has a lot to offer a wide audience, with its cultural and industrial history, contemporary art and nature. I am impressed by how they have worked with the development of the place over many years. Not least, I have followed closely since The Twist opened, and gave the place an entirely new dimension as a destination, says Roll-Matthiesen.
Kistefos Museum has experienced significant audience growth after the opening of The Twist in 2019 and through the pandemic, it was the most visited museum in Norway with 169,000 visitors in 2020. The museum has emphasized promoting Kistefos as a destination and opening up to a wider target group than those who normally seek out art and cultural institutions. Having experience in destination development was important to the board when selecting a new director.
- We are delighted to find a leader with such a strong background as a destination developer. This aspect will be important for Kistefos moving forwards and we believe that Roll-Matthiesen is the right person to lead this work. Roll-Matthiesen also has a broad background in cultural life and solid leadership experience over several years. Her local roots are also a big advantage, says Kistefos Museum chairman Erik Wahlstrøm.
Former director Birgitte Espeland was hired in 2019 and is now moving on to the position of general manager at Roseslottet. Curator Kate Smith has taken up the position of acting director until Roll-Matthiesen takes over.
Kistefos Museum is an art and culture destination with art exhibitions of high international class, an impressive sculpture park with 51 sculptures by renowned Norwegian and international artists, as well as an industrial museum. The sculpture park is expanded with two new sculptures each year and Kistefos aims to be Europe's most important sculpture park for contemporary sculpture.
- Being able to manage and further develop Kistefos is a very exciting and rewarding challenge for me. I'm looking forward to it!, says Roll-Matthiesen.