Minutes of the 97th meeting of the Museum Council –
September 2, 2010, 12:00 – 14:00, National Museum of Iceland
Present: Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, chairman, Halldór B. Runólfsson, Helgi Torfason, Guðný Dóra Gestdóttir, Jenný Lind Egilsdóttir, Ágústa Kristófersdóttir (executive director of the museum council).
1. Issues for discussion and decision:
1.0. Minutes of the 96th meeting approved and signed.
1.1. Director's report: Icelandic Museum Day: Icelandic Museum Day was celebrated on Sunday, July 11th and was a success, with extensive media coverage of the program, including an article by the chairman of the Museum Council and acting director in Morgunblaðið.. Museum Guide 2010: The 2010 Museum Handbook, edited by Anna Lísa Björnsdóttir, was published in July and is generally well received, although certain aspects, such as the book's layout, need to be reviewed before the next edition. Coordinated museum visitor survey: The survey was conducted in July and was generally successful. There were a total of about two thousand participants. The cost of the survey was, however, much higher than expected, partly because the survey was conducted in two languages. Reports are currently being prepared and the results will be presented at the Museums' College at the end of September. The survey will be conducted again at several museums in October, but the costs will be carefully examined and it will be checked whether it is right for the museums to participate in it. Advertisement for grants for 2011: Grant applications were advertised on August 18th in Morgunblaðið, Lögbirtingarblaðið and on the collectors' mailing list. Message from Ny Björn Gustavsson: Archaeologist Ny Björn Gustavsson submitted a request for the export of bone samples for research. After receiving a comment from the National Museum of Iceland and a rejection by the Archaeological Conservation Authority, which considered the matter to be entirely within the purview of the National Museum, as the bones from which samples were requested are preserved there and the archaeological research has long been completed, permission for export was granted.
1.2. Changes in the legal environment for museums – The comments will be simplified in such a way that they will only include what has not been stated in the comments of the libraries themselves. The Council declares its readiness to review the next draft.
1.3. Financial status of the Museum Council: A review of expenses since the beginning of the year was called for. The situation is good, but it was decided to postpone the announcement and payment of travel grants for continuing education, which were approved at the 95th meeting of the Museum Council on May 26th, until the end of the year when the results of operations are available.
1.4. The Museum at Hnjót: received a letter from Sigurbjörg Ásgeirsdóttir, director of the Hnjót Museum, which, among other things, discussed the joint venture with the Hnjót Aviation Museum. It was agreed to check the status of the Museum and the Hnjót Aviation Museum and send a letter to the museum's owners reiterating their responsibility.
1.5. Strategy formulation of the Board of Directors of the Icelandic Design Museum: The strategy of the Design Museum was briefly presented.
1.6. Museum Board trip: The trip will take place on Monday, September 27th and will visit museums in Reykjavík and the surrounding area: Hafnarfjörður Museum of Local History, the Icelandic Design Museum in Garðabær, the Music Museum in Kópavogur, the Medical Museum in Seltjarnarnes, and the Contemporary Art Museum.
1.7. Museum charters – Review 2010 with a view to formal confirmation by the Museum Council: The charters of 14 museums were reviewed and compared with the Museum Council's guidelines on charters from 2009. Letters with comments will be sent to museums as appropriate.
2. Papers for discussion and decision.
2.1. A statement from the ASÍ Art Museum, which commented on grants awarded from the museum fund. The Museum Council agreed to respond to the letter by referring to the Council's policy and also inviting the director to attend a Council meeting.
2.2. Paper from the Museum Library, application for a grant. The Museum Council agreed to request a more detailed statement, especially information on grants. The Museum Council proposes that it be examined whether the Council, together with non-governmental organizations of collectors, can formally participate in the publication. The Council agrees to postpone processing the application until further information has been received, but informs the publication that the grant cannot be as high as the amount requested.
2.3. Message from the Minister of Education. regarding the application of the Sigurjón Ólafsson Art Museum for a grant according to Article 11 of the Museums Act: A positive opinion from the Art Museum of Iceland was submitted and the museum board agreed to give a positive opinion but reminded of the importance of the structure fitting well into the sensitive environment.
2.4. Presentation from Guðrún Ölda Gísladóttir on the temporary export of artifacts for research: It was agreed that the Director General would handle the matter between meetings after receiving comments from the Archaeological Conservation Agency and the National Museum of Iceland.
2.5. Presentation by Eric Guiry of MAP on the temporary export of artifacts for research: It was agreed that the Director General would handle the matter between meetings after receiving comments from the Archaeological Conservation Agency and the National Museum of Iceland.
3. The next meeting was scheduled for September 27th at 8:30 a.m. (field trip)
Ágústa Kristófersdóttir, acting managing director