scenekunst

Scenekunst is a term used primarily in Norwegian and Danish to denote the performing arts presented on stage. It encompasses theatre, dance, opera and musical theatre, as well as performance art and other live, stage-based forms. The practice centers on live performance before an audience, though productions may involve collaborations among writers, directors, choreographers, designers and performers.

Typical activities include the creation and development of a work, rehearsals, staging, and the integration of direction, choreography, scenography, lighting and sound. Scenekunst often operates through professional companies or ensembles, independent artists, and collaborations across disciplines. Productions can be conceived for theatres, festivals, or alternative venues.

Historically, scenekunst has roots in ritual performance and traditional theatre, evolving through modern theatre movements in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the late 20th and 21st centuries, contemporary scenekunst expanded to encompass multidisciplinary practices, cross-media works, improvisation, and audience participation, sometimes blending theatre with dance, visual art and new media.

Most countries support scenekunst through public funding, subsidies, and cultural agencies. Professional training is often provided by specialized schools and conservatories. Venues range from national theatres and opera houses to independent theatres, dance houses and community spaces; festivals play a major role in presenting and shaping the field.

While the term is common in Scandinavian countries, English-language sources may translate it as “performing arts” or “stage arts.” In practice, scenekunst refers to live, time-based artistic work performed in front of audiences and typically emphasizes the live, concrete presence of performers.