The Icelandic Museum Awards are awarded every other year and are intended to draw attention to the good work being done at Icelandic museums. They are also intended to foster professional ambition and serve as an encouragement to present the nation's culture in a progressive and interesting way. The Museum Awards are sponsored by the Icelandic chapter of ICOM and the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals (FÍSOS).
The award is given to one museum that has been deemed to have excelled and to set an example. No distinction is made between types of museums, so all museums in the country are considered: history and folk museums, art museums, natural history museums, and other specialized museums.
The Museum Awards were first presented in 2000. A selection committee, composed of representatives from the societies and a representative from the museum that last received the award, chooses from submitted ideas, but proposals are sought from the general public as well as from professionals. The recognition that comes with the award is an honor and an encouragement to the three nominated museums, not least to the museum that wins the award.
Award winners
2022: Akureyri Museum
2020: National Museum of Iceland
2018: Art Museum of Árnessýsla
2016: Skagfirðinga Museum of Local History
2014: Sarps Operating Company
2012: South East Iceland Museum, Húsavík
2010: The New Art Museum
2008: Westfjords Museum in Ísafjörður
2006: Reykjavik Museum of History
2003: National Museum of Iceland, Photo Department
2002: Arnesingas Museum of Local History
2001: Reykjavik Art Museum
2000: The Herring Museum in Siglufjörður
More information can be found on the website. ICOM