Ultima was founded in 1990 by Helge Skansen, Geir Johnson, Knut Høyland, Jostein Simble and John Persen, and is a foundation with 17 members, all of them professional cultural institutions or organisations.
Throughout its twenty-year history, all kinds of locations have served as Ultima concert venues.
The events are staged both in large, established venues such as the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Oslo Concert Hall and the University of Oslo's Great Hall as well as in small clubs, shop premises, industrial premises, museums, schools and outdoors.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is the patron of Ultima.
[1] According to Arbeiderbladet, in 2011 ULTIMA is the largest contemporary music festival in the Nordic countries.