On January 20, the administrative and technical staff of Carte Blanche, together with Louis Janssen from Theateradvies and Tine Rude, the administrative director of BIT-Teatergarasjen, visited what will soon become our new home: Sentralbadet Scenekunsthus, a new performing arts center in the heart of Bergen. With construction well underway, we had an exciting glimpse of what the future holds for the performing arts in Bergen.

A Home for the Future of Performing Arts

Sentralbadet Scenekunsthus is a unique project that is taking in shape in the center of Bergen. The former municipal swimming pool is being transformed into a state-of-the-art performing arts venue with multiple stages, production facilities, and spaces to accommodate both local and international productions. It will serve as a vital hub for development and collaboration in the Norwegian and international arts scene.

The project’s long history dates back to 2014 when it was decided to repurpose the pool section of Sentralbadet as a production facility. After many years of planning, political support, and funding efforts, the first demolition work began in 2023. According to Bergen City Council, the move-in date is expected in the second quarter of 2026, with an official opening of the arts center for the public toward the end of the year.

The construction work, led by Veidekke, is progressing steadily. According to their latest update published in January 2025 on sentralbadet.veidekke.no, the building’s facade is now being finalized, marking a significant milestone for the project.

The foundation stone for Sentralbadet Performing Arts Center was laid on October 16, 2024, in a ceremony attended by representatives from Bergen Municipality, Carte Blanche, BIT Teatergarasjen, and other partners. This marked the start of what will become a groundbreaking project for performing arts in Norway. Read more about the foundation stone ceremony here: The cornerstone of Sentralbadet has been laid down.

Impressions from the Visit

During the visit, we saw how the building is slowly but surely beginning to resemble a fully equipped performing arts venue. Louis Janssen shared his expertise and thoughts on how the space can be optimized for us as a touring company. We also gained insight into the production facilities and the creative opportunities these spaces will offer when completed.

When Will the Building Be Ready?

The project is on track, and Sentralbadet Performing Arts Center is expected to be completed by late 2025, with operations starting in 2026. The opening of Sentralbadet marks the beginning of a new era for Carte Blanche, BIT-Teatergarasjen, and the rest of Bergen’s performing arts community. We look forward to welcoming audiences and making use of this unique venue for future performances and exciting collaborations.

A Collaborative Effort for the Arts

Sentralbadet Performing Arts Center represents a collaboration between many stakeholders, including Veidekke and Bergen Municipality. We greatly appreciate their efforts and dedication to this project and look forward to its completion.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sentralbadet – we will continue to share insights and news as the construction progresses.