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The heated debates about racism and free speech are an important part of the justification.
Måns Wrange resigns as director. Photo: Donation poster
Måns Wrange, rector of the Oslo Academy of Arts (KHiO) has resigned. Report this on the KHiO website Tuesday night.
He justifies it with a critical family situation. The coronavirus makes it difficult to move between Norway and Sweden, he writes.
But the debate about racism and sexism that has erupted in the school this summer is also part of the reason.
– Since KHiO has been in the middle of a media debate since the summer, I have accelerated my resignation on several occasions, he writes.
Wrange previously went to the polls to introduce more diversity and discrimination work as a principal.
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The debate on racism at the Norwegian Academy of Arts: – Exactly the same debate as in Copenhagen
Fear of being perceived as biased
Later, after the Black Lives Matter movement, more than 130 students grappled with structural racism and sexism at school. They demanded to change the curriculum and subjects. The principal has been an advocate for these changes.
Critics inside and outside the school believe he is copying a dangerous American trend. They are concerned about such political ideology. They believe it can threaten free conversation and free art.
In his resignation message, the director reacts to the fact that this work has been called “identity politics”, “politicization” and “ideologization” of KHiO.
Wrange writes that he has tried to nuance the discussion and provoke a democratic process. But he worries that he may be perceived as a principal taking sides by some students against someone else.
He fears that he will continue to be interpreted as too political.
– I think it is better for KHiO that a person who can be considered more neutral in this debate, takes over as director, writes.
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Trine Skei Grande (V) is concerned about freedom of expression at the Academy of Fine Arts. Bring a heated debate to the Storting.
Much noise at KHiO
The school students who have protested against the new proposals have been incited and called racists and reactionaries. Higher Education Minister Henrik Asheim has previously told Aftenposten that they have been contacted by people at KHiO who do not dare to speak out what they think.
Both the minister and critics in the academic world have expressed concern about freedom of expression at school.
An additional board meeting will be held on Thursday. There the process of electing a new director will be discussed. Wrange has three months notice. What this will mean for plans for a number of curriculum changes, he will report later, he writes.
Wrange staff have so far declined a telephone interview with Aftenposten.
