Current and Upcoming Exhibitions:
Ukraine – The War That Cannot Be Won
On February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine. The attack was condemned by the UN and NATO as a violation of international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Russia, however, refers to the invasion as a “special military operation” aimed at “demilitarizing” and “denazifying” Ukraine.
This powerful exhibition presents the many faces of the war.
The exhibition is on loan from the Narvik Center and was produced in collaboration with the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum / Forsvarets Forum and the Bergenhus Fortress Museum / Aftenposten. Special thanks to the photographers at Forsvarets Forum and Aftenposten for the use of their images.
Midtpunkt – Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts
In 2025, the Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts celebrates its 50th anniversary. This exhibition presents a wide spectrum of approaches within the field of contemporary crafts and material-based art. Craftsmanship and materials have always been, and continue to be, central to this field, highlighting the unique character and identity of the craft tradition.
With their deep understanding of materials and techniques, craft artists contribute valuable perspectives on pressing societal issues such as consumption, sustainability, and the role of materials in the future.
First Strike City
Security, Sovereignty, and the Shadows of Conflict By Dan Mariner
The exhibition First Strike City takes as its point of departure the city of Bodø, Norway—a place once central to the defense of NATO’s northern flank. Until its closure in 2022, Bodø served as the headquarters of Norway’s Air Force, playing a critical role in NATO operations throughout the Cold War. Its strategic position inside the Arctic region made it a linchpin of Western defense strategy—and now, with the resurgence of geopolitical tension and resurgent Russian aggression, its relevance has returned with renewed urgency.
By 2025, Bodø and the north of Norway reemerged as a key player in Europe’s defense landscape, shortlisted as the site for NATO’s new Combined Air Operations Centre. Once again, it has become a “first strike city”—a potential frontline in the evolving theatre of hybrid warfare, where threats blend cyber, disinformation, and conventional military power.
Across Europe, a substantial number of NATO military installations in Europe are situated in close proximity to large civilian populations. This exhibition invites visitors to confront a pressing question: Is the proximity of military infrastructure to urban life a necessary sacrifice for national security?
Through contemporary photography, immersive soundscapes, and moving image works, First Strike City explores the often-invisible strategies of deterrence and brinkmanship that define our current era. It casts light on the hidden dynamics of global power struggles—played out not in open battlefields, but in data centers, airbases, and information streams—where entire populations become both shield and target.
In an age where security and sovereignty are increasingly intertwined with vulnerability and exposure, this exhibition asks: What are the costs of safety? And who bears them?
Made in Bodø
One of the City Museum’s major upcoming projects is the self-produced exhibition Made in Bodø. This exhibition invites visitors to explore and reflect on how Bodø’s industrial past may influence future production and society. How can we learn from our history to help shape a more sustainable future?
See the dates for the exhibitions on the museum’s website.
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