an active music scene as well. The Kristiansand Symphonic Orchestra as well as Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble are now well known after their merging in 2003. The new Kilden Performing Arts Centre opened January 6, 2012. So far concerts take place in Agder Theatre, which is also a venue for most of the other big events. S�rlandets Art Museumis also in the centre of Kristiansand. It was established in 1995 and is the second bigest regional art museum in Norway.
The museum runs an extensive programme, which includes exhibitions of the permanent collection, temporary contemporary art-exhibitions and touring exhibitions to schools and child-care initiatives. The museum is working to generate interest, engagement, knowledge and understanding of the arts, crafts and other visual arts.
Cultiva, which is a local government foundation, was established to ensure a portion of the profits made from selling shares in Agder Energy Ltd have lasting benefits to the community, with some of the money invested in cultural projects in Kristiansand. In addition, in 2007 Kristiansand won cultural funding from �Norges kulturkommune�, which was established by the Norwegian Culture Forum and is awarded every other year. Fiskebrygga, in Kristiansand, is very popular in summer, where you will find a fishmarket offering fishes and shellfishes alive. In the 1990s the area was refurbished transforming the traditional landing area for boats with restaurants and shops.
The City�s famous football team, IK Start, had their final home game at Kristiansand Stadium in 2006. As of 2007 the team has been moved to its newer facilities in S�r Arena. Kristiansand is also known for its handball teams (KIF and Kristiansand Vipers), basketball (Kristiansand Pirates), volleyball club (Grim VBK) and baseball team (Kristiansand Suns). Kristiansand Suns is commonly known as the morale winners of the NM 2010.
The zoological garden, Kristiansand Dyrepark (Kristiansand Zoo and
