The Norwegian Association for Performing Arts (NAPA) is a state-subsidised lobbyist organisation and a competence centre for professional, non-institutional, performing arts in Norway. NAPA's vision is to enable good and predictable working conditions as regards production, venues, promotion/contact with event organisers and artistic quality. The organisation offers service and information to its members. In addition, NAPA administers the National Touring Network for the Performing Arts (NTNPA), manages the online performing arts news service and information channel Scenekunst.no, and is the key shareholder of Black Box Theatre in Oslo.

The 80 ensembles that are members of NAPA represent a wide range of artistic expressions. For their benefit NAPA acts as an administrative resource bank by increasing awareness of the independent performing arts, providing consultancy and information services and arranging seminars. NAPA also arranges lectures, collates and publishes statistics on the performing arts and participates in public discourses

To improve economical conditions and raise awareness in the field, NAPA has on-going contact with local and national politicians. One of the association's key objectives is network building within the cultural sector and the promotion of Norwegian performing arts on international arenas. NAPA acts as an advisory body for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and administers the Ministry's funding systems for guest performances abroad and for cultural exchanges with countries in the South.