Minutes of the 104th meeting of the Museum Council –
June 15, 2011, 12:15 – 2:15 PM, Setberg National Monument Office
Present: Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, chairman, Helgi Torfason, Halldór B. Runólfsson, Guðný Dóra Gestsdóttir, Jenný Lind Egilsdóttir, Rakel Halldórsdóttir and Ágústa Kristófersdóttir (executive directors of the museum council). Guests at the meeting: Halldóra Hreggviðsdóttir and Jón Pálmi Guðmundsson.
1. Issues for discussion and decision:
1.0. Minutes of the 103rd meeting approved and signed.
1.1. Report of the Managing Director: Icelandic Museum Day 2011. After consultation with museums, it was decided not to advertise the day in print media this year. Instead, grouped advertisements will be purchased in Rúv and Bylgjann, press releases will be sent out, and the website will be www.sofn.is (Opens in a new browser window) opened with information about participants. Letter to the Fljótsdalshérað town council: the content of the response letter was presented, where a misunderstanding in the local government's letter is corrected. Response letter to the Húnvetningar og Strandamanni Museum regarding a report regarding the 2011 preservation grant: The museum is advised to apply again for 2012. Museum Council's comment on the bill on the National Library: The Museum Council has no comments on the bill. Application form for the 2011 museum fund: The EC software service has been lacking. A meeting was held with an EC software employee regarding the form and adjustments will be made to it in accordance with the Museum Council's comments. The domains sofn.is and museums.is to the Museum Council: the purchase of the domains has been completed and they will be available for use before Icelandic Museum Day. The 2011 Museum Book: Will be distributed before July 1. Regional Museum Council contacts (1 in each region) (oral): Consider whether cultural representatives can take on this role. Coordinated museum visitor survey – status: to be submitted by July 1.
1.2. Presentation by Jón Pálmi Guðmundsson on the possibilities for activities in the field of exhibitions and museums in Urriðaholt. Jón Pálmi, together with Halldóra Hreggviðsdóttir from Alta, presented the organization of the area and the ideology, along with ideas for a possible museum or exhibition activities in the area.
1.3. Website – new look and sofn.is – new look: Designer's ideas for the new look of the Museum Council website and the site söfn.is presented. Discuss the look, get new suggestions and investigate whether the Iceland map can be implemented better and preferably connected to a map database where information about directions to the museums can be obtained.
2. Papers for discussion and decision.
2.1. Application for export of cultural property. Application by Margrét Sigurgeirsdóttir for export of cultural property. Opinion requested from the National Gallery of Iceland. Opinion from the National Gallery of Iceland positive. Permit for export granted.
2.2. Application for export of textile samples for research. Application by Michele Hayeur Smith for export of textile samples. Comments requested from the National Museum and the Archaeological Conservation Service. Comments from the National Museum positive. Comments from the Archaeological Conservation Service positive. Permit for export granted.
2.3. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports requests the Museum Council's position on the Hunting Museum's appeal regarding the processing of an application for the Museum Fund in 2011. A draft position was approved, in which the Council's decision is supported by reference to the salary criteria in the Museum Fund's allocation rules.
2.4. Comments from the Museum Council requested on the application of the Hornafjörður Cultural Centre for a foundation grant for the Svavar Guðnason Art Museum. Application from the Hornafjörður Cultural Centre (drawings in monograph at the meeting). Comments from the State Construction Agency and the State Treasury. Idea for comments from the Museum Council. Approved subject to further information.
3. Other matters.
Next meeting according to schedule 25.08.2011 at 12:15, meeting adjourned at 14:15/ÁK