International cultural exchange and co-operation forms an integral part of the Norwegian cultural policy. The official reasons for cultural exchange have changed depending on the political, social and economic climate in Norway throughout the 20th century. During the 1980s and 1990s, the foreign climate changed dramatically with the end of the cold war, general globalisation and the revolution in digital communications. As a result of these changes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs created a commission to explore the role of culture in Norwegian foreign policy. The final report from this commission, called Change and Renewal Norwegian: foreign cultural policy 2001-2005, was a solid foundation for current and future actions taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries.

According to the report, ‘the goals of Norwegian cultural co-operation with other countries are defined by the Norwegian parliament and summarised under four main headings: international understanding, representation of Norway abroad, presentation of impulses and stimuli to Norwegian cultural life and presentation of Norwegian culture abroad. In other words, international cultural activities are given both a foreign policy and a cultural policy role.’

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been given responsibility for the presentation of Norwegian arts and culture abroad, including exchange projects with developing countries. Norwegian Foreign Service missions play a key role in establishing and administering cultural co-operation with Norway. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also delegated responsibility for funding cultural projects abroad to other public institutions and professional organisations, including the Office for Contemporary Art Norway, NORLA - NORwegian Literature Abroad, the Norwegian Association for Performing Arts (NAPA), the Norwegian Association for Arts and Crafts, the Norwegian Film Institute, the Music Information Centre and Rikskonsertene. The Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD), a directorate under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is also involved in international cultural projects and provides assistance for culture, media and information activities.

The Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs, through its Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs is responsible for multilateral cultural co-operation as well as for the promotion of international culture in Norway. See also Nordic Council of Ministers and Nordic Cultural Fund.