Postal address: PO Box 254, 3192 Horten, Norway

Registered organisation no. 874 240672

Background
Preus museum was established after the Norwegian Parliament passed Bill no. 56 (1993-94), "Establishment of a National Photography Museum", on 27 May 1994, whereby the State agreed to acquire Preus fotomuseum from Preus Foto AS for the sum of NOK 46 million.

Content
The museum collection consists of Norwegian and international photographs, cameras and other artefacts illustrating the history of photography. The museum also possesses a specialist library.

Duties
Under the Act of Parliament setting up the museum, the museum's duties include:
* Overall responsibility for documenting and promoting all aspects of photographic heritage and contemporary photography
* Setting up a permanent exhibition, organising temporary and touring exhibitions, and providing expert assistance to other institutions

Extract from the museum's constitution
"Preus museum is to cover the artistic, cultural and technical aspects of photography. Through research, collection and conservation activities, the museum is to create a basis for knowledge, understanding and experience of photography as a cultural manifestation over the years, as a social phenomenon, and as a form of aesthetic and artistic expression. By presenting the history of photography, the museum is to promote knowledge, understanding and experience of photography as a means of portraying nature, culture and society in a way that depicts both continuity and change, relationships and distinctions. Furthermore, as the national museum of photography, the museum is to provide expert assistance to other cultural institutions wishing to promote photography, photographic technology, etc. The museum is to assist the Norwegian State in acquiring Norwegian and international photographs, artefacts and other relevant material. The museum is to cooperate with other institutions in Norway and abroad."

Although several other Norwegian museums, archives and libraries include photographs in their collections, there is no other institution in Norway at present with overall responsibility for documenting and promoting photography, either as a historical or as a contemporary phenomenon.

Organisation
Preus museum is constituted as a private charitable foundation. The collection is the property of the Norwegian State, and funding takes the form of an annual grant under section 70 of the National Budget. The museum's annual report and accounts have to be submitted to the Ministry of Cultural and Church Affairs by March every year.

Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is appointed by the Ministry of Cultural and Church Affairs.

Management