New York, NY—This year, the American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America. In recognition of this important milestone for our cultural center, Scandinavia House will present a year of special programs highlighting our history in New York, including two major exhibitions; screenings and talks on critically acclaimed Nordic cinema; lectures, symposia, and concerts with notable Nordic cultural figures; and family workshops and programs.
In the early 1990s, ASF’s Board of Trustees had a bold vision: to create a permanent home for ASF that would stand as a lasting manifestation of the close bonds that have long existed between the U.S. and the Nordic nations. Designed by the internationally renowned Polshek Partnership Architects (now Ennead Architects), Scandinavia House opened in October 2000 with a week of festivities drawing more than 5,000 people, including Heads of State and royal personages from each of the Nordic countries. At the opening, His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden described Scandinavia House as “a dynamic, creative, interesting world, so far from home and yet so near,” while the New York Times labeled it “a gift to the city.”
Since then, Scandinavia House has welcomed more than three million visitors; presented 75 exhibitions, over 2,500 films, concerts, lectures, and arts programs; provided 2,000 programs for children and families; and offered language classes in Swedish, Danish and Norwegian. Notable guests include all the Nordic heads of state for the past 25 years, as well as many members of the Nordic royal families; numerous American political, financial and academic leaders; internationally celebrated artists, musicians, actors and directors; and others. A rich resource for New Yorkers, tourists, Scandinavians and culture enthusiasts from around the globe, Scandinavia House has become one of New York’s premiere cultural attractions.
Edward Gallagher, ASF President and CEO since 1996, who guided the planning and construction of Scandinavia House commented: “It was very rewarding to all of us at ASF to see that the cultural center we only imagined 30 years ago became a reality five years later, and continues to thrive and grow. A great deal has happened in the 25 years since Scandinavia House was founded, but its mission — to promote greater understanding an appreciation of Nordic cultures, celebrating our differences and similarities — is more important and relevant than ever before.”
The events will kick off with the October opening of A Time for Everything — 25 Years of Contemporary Art at Scandinavia House, a group exhibition of internationally acclaimed Nordic artists who have presented work in our Galleries over the years since its founding in 2000. The breadth of work underscores the vision of the Scandinavia House Gallery as a steward for new and established Nordic voices in the contemporary artistic landscape, and promoting the exchange of ideas and culture between the U.S. and Nordic region.
Other major events will include a series of colloquia and conversations exploring Nordic influences on American architecture and design; screenings and discussions of outstanding new Nordic films, as well as a retrospective of classics from the last 25 years; a concert series headlined by internationally acclaimed Swedish pianist Per Tengstrand; special lectures offered in cooperation with the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Columbia University; a spring festival for children; and, in spring 2026, a Gala Dinner and Dance with special guests from all the Nordic nations.