Fur farming

In 2025, the fur farming industry in Norway was phased out following a long process. However, traces of the industry remain. We find these traces here in Sunnmøre. In the landscape, among the people who worked in the industry, in wardrobes, in photographs, and in archives.

The exhibition «Pelstid» (fur era) explores the roughly 100-year history of Norwegian fur farming, focusing on the local context here in Sunnmøre. At the same time, we look toward international fashion trends—and to Canada, where modern fur farming originated. Shifting international fashion trends and changing attitudes toward animal husbandry impacted fur-bearing animals and farmers across Norway.

How did this changing fashion landscape affect fur farming and the farmers themselves? The exhibition aims to shed light on how the industry began, where fur farmers acquired their knowledge and expertise, and how they adapted these practices to local conditions. We also examine how the fur industry contributed to local and regional value creation.