English
USF is the major co-location and cluster for art, film and music and creative enterprises in Bergen and Norway
USF Verftet is a former sardine factory building accommodating five venues for presentation of music, theatre, films and contemporary art, and several artist studios and offices. USF also host the artist residency programme AiR Bergen.
The office
The office is open workdays at 10.00 – 16.00, but we are also likely to be in office before and after these hours. Street adress: Georgernes Verft 12, 5011 Bergen
Mail adress:epost@usf.no
Phone: +47 55 30 74 10
Enquiries
Promotors of concerts, theatre etc. please contact Ragnhild Severeide,
tlf. 97598408 / booking@usf.no for venue booking.
Enquiries on catering, table reservations and other related to the café and
restaurant, please call 40431791 or use online reservation at www.kafekippers.no
Enquiries on studios and office space to let, please call 55 33 57 77.
Enquiries on booking time slots in the rehearsal rooms, please call AKKS, 55 55 75 55.
Enquiries on artists and enterprises in the USF building, please make direct contact,
see list of residents here.
Enquiries on the artist in residence programme, please contact Ms. Line
Nord, 40886010.
Lost property
Enquiries on lost property, please call Kafé Kippers 40431791 for items lost in the public areas. Or just ask in the café.
For lost property in the music rehearsal studios, please call AKKS, 55 55 75 55.
For lost property in the dance rehearsal studios, please call Bergen Dansesenter, 55 32 08 66.
For lost property in the cinema, please call Cinemateket USF, 55 31 85 80.
About USF
The United Sardine Factory (USF) is located at the Georgernes Verft in Bergen. This old factory was once the largest cannery in Norway. Now, USF is a multiple cultural arena, unique in size and variety. Arts and culture are produced, organised and presented in several forms and genres.
USF Verftet is run by the Stiftelsen Kulturhuset USF foundation, supported by Bergen kommune (Bergen council) and private funding. Spread out on 12 000 sqm, about 200 people operate within the areas of art, crafts, music, dance, dramatic art, design and architecture, literature and film. Moreover, one find rehearsal studios for music and dance, and the regional writing academy. Several cultural organisations and companies involved with the cultural and creative industry are located in the building.
The public arenas
A rich and diverse program is presented, from independent art groups, promotors and festival organisers. About 130.000 visitors come to attend an array of art and cultural events every year.
Cinemateket USF is a 60 seat cinema, a valuable supplement to the Bergen commercial cinema. Cinemateket offer experimental new art films as well as the good old classics. A series of new short films from local film producers are presented every month. Link to the cinema here.
Sardinen USF is a club and concert venue that accommodates 500 people. Every week Bergen Jazzforum hosts concerts given by local musicians as well as international jazz stars. Link to the jazzclub here.
Røkeriet USF is the largest venue and accommodates 1200 people. The area is mainly used for larger concerts in the rock- and jazz genre, sometimes also for theatre, dance and art installations.
Studio USF is ta black box stage. This small stage is perfect for theatre, acoustic music, clubbing, dance and performance, especially suited for performers who appreciate close contact with the audience. Studio USF accommodates 30-100 seated, up to 300 standing – depending on stage set-up.
Visningsrommet USF is a gallery where Norwegian and international artists present contemporary art. Visningsrommet USF is an independent non-commercial gallery.
Kafe Kippers is the rallying point of artists and the public, located on the pier accommodating Bergen’s largest outdoor restaurant in the summertime, where 500 quests can enjoy the most beautiful fjord views as well as the sunset.
Hallen USF is the newest addition to USF Verftet – a large shipbuilding hall transformed into a venue for 1000 – 3000 standing.
The production areas
A rich and diverse acivity of artists, creative enterprises, art organisations and educational establishments are located to the USF building. Among these are:
– 60 studios where 80 professional fine artists and craft artists work
– Two guest studios for international artists
– Offices for a broad range of organisations in music, film and literature
– Several companies producing and distributing music, film and media
– A number of interior architects and furniture designers
– Educational institutions in dance and literature
– Rehearsal studios for jazz and rock musicians