Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Meeting place: 5 Austurstræti, 4th floor
Present: Vilhjálmur Bjarnason, Chair; Guðrún Dröfn Whitehead; Gunnhildur Ásta Guðmundsdóttir, Vice Chair; Jóhanna Erla Pálmadóttir; and Hlynur Hallsson.
The meeting was attended on behalf of the principal museums: for the National Gallery of Iceland: Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir; for the National Museum of Natural History of Iceland: Ragnhildur Guðmundsdóttir; for the National Museum of Iceland: Harpa Þórsdóttir.
Staff of the Board of Trustees: Thóra Björk Ólafsdóttir, Executive Director, who writes the minutes, and Klara Þórhallsdóttir.
1. Presentation case
1.1. Overview of the board's activities since the last meeting. This included project management at the board's office, an update to the board's website, and a review of a new application system. Data was submitted to the Statistics Bureau, but it has not requested it for the last two years.
1.2. The 2024 Annual Report of the Museum Council was presented for approval at the next meeting.
1.3. The possibility was discussed for the Museum Council to offer a customized 1-2 day course that would cover, on the one hand, preventive conservation and the conditions of museum objects in relation to the council's requirements, and on the other hand, response plans and how the two are connected. The Council agreed to proceed with the review and planning of the project.
1.4. The application processes for the next two application rounds were discussed: the 2025 supplemental allocation and the 2026 main allocation.
1.5. Strategic planning for accredited museums and the data required to accompany it in the Museum Strategy and Action Plan were discussed, as accredited museums are required to submit their strategic plans to their parent organizations. The Executive Director of the Museum Council will prepare an information document for museums.
1.6. The Fall 2025 trip for the Council was discussed, and it was decided to take a day trip around the capital region this time.
2. Matters for decision
2.1. The minutes of the consultation meeting between the minister and representatives of major museums and their professional associations, held last June, were approved and will be published on the council's website.
3. Other issues
- Timing of the next board of trustees meeting
Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM / THB