ABOUT
Women, non-binary and transgender people are still strongly underrepresented in the sound engineering field. In 2022 it was reported* that 93% of all technicians in Norway are cis-male.
WE WANT TO CHANGE THIS!
GRIP is open to everyone over the age of 18 (with no upper age limit) and offers both introductory and in-depth courses in sound engineering. Since 2021, GRIP has trained more than 150 people, including new sound technicians as well as teachers, musicians, youth workers, producers and curators who want to gain more knowledge and confidence in sound technology.
92% of GRIP participants are women, non-binary and transgender people. Many are now working as professional sound technicians in Bergen and Norway. We are proud of all of our trainees who are changing the field of sound engineering!
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*«Forestillingen er avlyst» Frafall av teknikere i sceneteknisk bransje og forslag til tiltak, Anne-Sofie Hjemdahl og Roy Aulie Jacobsen, Kulturrom, 2022. Read the full report HERE.
AIMS
| GRIP aims to increase the proportion of women, non-binary and transgender people in sound technician roles in Norway´s cultural organisations. The field of sound engineering continues to be white, able-bodied and cis-male dominated. The development of the cultural scene is not only about creating a diversity of role models on stage, but also behind the scenes – in production, lighting and sound engineering, and in all other important roles behind the scenes. GRIP aims to be a “training ground” to provide long-term, practical training, experience and guidance in sound engineering across cultural disciplines, such as music, dance, performance and theatre. Our aim is to strengthen a greater diversity of people with technical competence in both the region and across Norway. GRIP also collaborates with other organisations in Bergen including Vill Vill Vest festival, Borealis – a festival for experimental music, Østre, Bergen Kunsthall / Landmark, Transgender Awareness Week and Creative Technology to offer practical experience for the GRIP trainees. |
“For me, the GRIP course has been a stepping stone into an industry that I previously felt was not easy to approach. I don't think this would have been possible without the GRIP course, and the inspiration and motivation I got through it.” |
STATISTICS
Since 2021 GRIP has trained 150 people in sound engineering - and 92% of trainees have been women, non-binary and / or transgender. To put it simply: we are completely flipping the statistic of the "norm" which reports 93% of technicians in Norway are cis-men.
The demand does not decrease: 214 people have applied over the last 2 years for only 141 places. Our autumn 2023 course for 6 places was oversubscribed by 2,5 times, and the last 3 in-depth courses have all been oversubscribed by 4 times.
We strive to make our courses accessible and want to respond to the demand! Check out our upcoming courses HERE.
Several of our former trainees now work professionally as sound technicians at:
Bergen Kjøtt
BIT Teatergarasjen
Creative Technology
Konsert Systemer
Kvarteret
Landmark / Bergen Kunsthall
Prøverommet
Østre
With so few women / non-binary / trans people working in this sector, GRIP has significantly increased the number of technicians working in Bergen.
We are proud of all our trainees and new sound technicians!
2023: 7 COURSES
In-depth stage 1 course (6 sessions)
Introductory course in Norwegian (1 day)
Introductory course in English (1 day)
In-depth stage 1 course (6 sessions)
Introductory course in Norwegian (1 day)
Introductory course in English (1 day)
GRIP x Forandringshuset Bergen: Introductory course to sound engineering for under 18s (4 sessions)
2022: 7 COURSES
In-depth stage 1 course (6 sessions)
Introductory course for music teachers (1 day)
Introductory course: sound engineering for studio and field recording (1 day)
Introductory course: sound engineering for musicians, stage performers and producers (1 day)
GRIP x ASTERISK: Introductory course for clubnight tech + creating inclusive environments (1 day)
GRIP x Transgender Awareness Week: Introductory course to sound engineering (1 day)
GRIP Stage 2 developmental course (5 sessions)
2021: 6 COURSES
In-depth stage 1 course (6 sessions)
Introductory course for producers and curators (1 day)
Introductory course in Norwegian (1 day)
Introductory course in English (1 day)
GRIP x Transgender Awareness Week: Introductory course to DJ tech and safer spaces (1 day)
GRIP x ASTERISK: Introductory course for clubnight tech + creating inclusive environments (1 day)
PRESS
FUNDERS & PARTNERS
APAP FEMINIST FUTURES
BALANSEKUNST
BERGEN KOMMUNE
CREATIVE EUROPE
EGD PROPERTY
KULTURROM
SPAREBANKEN VEST
GRIP spring 2023 is a collaborative project between Bergen Kjøtt, BIT Teatergarasjen, Carte Blanche, AKKS Bergen and sound technician Irene Bjørke. GRIP 2023 is organised with partners in Bergen including Borealis – en festival for eksperimentell musikk and Vill Vill Vest and is supported by Sparebanken Vest, Bergen kommune, Kulturrom, and apap-FEMINIST FUTURES (finances by the Creative Europe-programmet i EU).
GRIP is part of BIT Teatergarasjen´s project apap – FEMINIST FUTURES, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union and aims to initiate powerful social changes and address inequality in the contemporary Performing Arts.
AKKS BERGEN
ASTERISK
BERGEN ENTO
BERGEN KJØTT
BERGEN KUNSTHALL / LANDMARK
BIT TEATERGARASJEN
BOREALIS - EN FESTIVAL FOR EKSPERIMENTELL MUSIKK
CARTE BLANCHE
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
FORANDRINGSHUSET BERGEN
KULTURHUSET I BERGEN
KVARTERET
TRANSGENDER AWARENESS WEEK
VICTORIA CAFE + PUB
VILL VILL VEST
ØSTRE