Saviomuseet

About the museum

Saviomuseet is an art museum dedicated to the Sámi artist John Andreas Savio. The museum was established by Sør-Varanger kommune in 1994 as a national art museum about Savio’s life and work. In 2001 it gained status as a Sámi museum and came under the management of Sametinget (the Sámi Parliament).

Since 2002 the museum has been temporarily housed in the Grenselandmuseet building in Kirkenes, while awaiting more suitable premises. From 1 January 2012 it has been a consolidated unit in Tana og Varanger museumssiida, with administration in Varangerbotn. The museum is financed by Sør-Varanger kommune, Sametinget and Finnmark fylkeskommune.

The art collection is owned by Sør-Varanger kommune, and the museum today manages 900 works by Savio, which have been acquired in several rounds. The most recent major purchase came in 2017. In addition, the museum has some works by other artists as well as cultural-historical photographs and objects. The exhibition gallery has room for about 40 works, which are rotated at regular intervals. The museum also gives emphasis to other Sámi art, duodji and visual expressions.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition of John A. Savio’s art, about 40 works at a time
• Collection of 900 works by Savio
• Introduction to Savio’s life and work
• Cultural-historical objects and pictures from the artist’s childhood home
• Copy of Iver Jåks’ sculpture for Savio’s grave from 1974

Permanent exhibition

• John A. Savios kunst – Permanent exhibition with about 40 works by Savio, an introduction to the artist’s life, and cultural-historical objects and pictures from the childhood home.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Tana og Varanger museumssiida

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Programmes for kindergartens (3–5 years) and schools; children under 16 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Førstevannslia in Kirkenes, in the same building as Grenselandmuseet.

Amenities & dining

The Grenselandmuseet building, where Saviomuseet is housed, has a museum shop and café.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit