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Committee on Research in Art and Art History

The Committee on Research in Art and Art History implements the Board of the Foundation’s granting decision to support projects within art history research and fellowships in art history, art, and curating to researchers affiliated with a research institution in Denmark.

The projects must take place mainly in Denmark, and must be a stand-alone research project or a clearly defined part of a larger research project.

Grants are given within this research field for Mads Øvlisen postdoctoral scholarships, Mads Øvlisen PhD scholarships, investigator grants in art history, project support and two annual visiting scholarships in art and art history.

Additionally, the committee organizes a yearly seminar in art and art history research – the Novo Nordisk Foundation Art Inspirational Day, in collaboration with the Foundation.

The Committee succeeded the former Committee on Humanities Research, which the Novo Foundation established in 1979 to assess applications for the support of research in the humanities. The Committee had this title until 2000, but was renamed when the Foundation decided to prioritize support for research in art and art history. Mads Øvlisen has been a member of the Committee since 2006.

The Board of the Foundation appoints a Chair and the other members in accordance with the general rules covering the Foundation’s committees. The current members are listed below.

Maria Fabricius Hansen

Chair

Professor, Department of Arts and Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen
Has been a member since 2016.

Mads Øvlisen

Member

Former CEO of Novo Nordisk A/S
Has been a member since 2006.

Petra Bauer

Member

Professor, Stockholm University of the Arts, Sweden.
Has been a member since 2025.

Mårten Snickare

Member

Professor, Stockholm University, Sweden.
Has been a member since 2025.

Mathias Danbolt

Member

Professor, Department of Arts and Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen.
Has been a member since 2022.

Helle Brøns

Member

PhD, Curator, Helle Brøns, Sorø Art Museum.
Has been a member since 2023.