The group of students from the University of Agder expanded their knowledge about their own instrument when they visited the Norwegian Guitar Museum on October 30th 2025.
The guitars circulated among the students when the Norwegian Guitar Museum was filled to the brim with guitarists from the Department of Popular Music at the University of Agder. The students received a thorough tour of the collection and gained insight into the unique history of Norwegian guitars and guitar makers.
In particular, gaining insight into the historical aspects – and seeing how the guitar-making tradition has actually evolved in Norway – as well as actually getting the opportunity to try out an arsenal of different guitars, was something the students found especially beneficial.
“The visit offers students a unique connection between the history of music, the precision of craftsmanship, and the evolution of technology.” says Associate Professor Askil Holm, who travelled with the students on the trip to the museum.
“Through encountering the instruments’ form, sound, and cultural roots, they gain a deeper understanding of how aesthetics, innovation, and tradition interact – insight they can carry with them into further studies and their own professional practice.”
“The visit offers students a unique connection between the history of music, the precision of craftsmanship, and the evolution of technology.”
The museum, which became a reality in March 2015, houses more than 420 Norwegian-built guitars – from around 60 different producers and craftsmen. The students received a comprehensive overview of what is called “the world’s largest collection of Norwegian-produced guitars,” and learned about how the museum works to document craft traditions, cultural history, and industrial history related to Norwegian guitar production.
The collection has been gathered and curated by Asgaut Steinnes, and is a private and non-commercial project.
The visit is supported by and part of CreaTeME.
Photo: Askil Holm