May 17, 10:30-12:45 at the National Museum of Iceland
Present: Ólafur Kvaran, chairman, Guðbrandur Benediktsson, Haraldur Þór Egilsson (via telephone), Sigríður Björk Jónsdóttir, Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, National Museum Curator, Anna María Urbancic, Deputy Director of the National Gallery of Iceland, and Ágústa Kristófersdóttir, Ms. Ragna Árnadóttir announced her absence.
1. Overview of activities since the last meeting. The Minister's allocation from the Museum Fund was reviewed. Reported on the signing of a service agreement between the Museum Council and the National Museum of Iceland for the lease of premises, valid until the end of next year.
2. Changes to the Museum Council logo and its implementation for use as a logo for recognized museums were discussed, with the executive director tasked with receiving proposals from a designer.
3. The role of the main museums and their position in relation to the Museum Council, recognized museums and responsible museums was reviewed. The importance of policy-making was discussed and the recommendations made to the National Gallery of Iceland that it fulfill its role according to Article 8 of the Museums Act on a coordinated museum policy in its field were made. The importance of all policy-making in the field being done in collaboration was discussed. It was agreed that cooperation between main museums and other museums will be among the issues addressed by the Museum Council's working group on policy-making in the field of museum affairs.
4. Review the status of the accreditation process. Agree that the criterion for the financial basis for the normal operation of a museum is that the museum has the capacity to pay 100% full-time equivalent of a salaried, professional employee in addition to other operational aspects. Agree that museums have three years to adapt to this criterion.
5. Article prepared for the review of the articles of association and their confirmation.
6. Memorandum on the activities of related institutions in the Nordic countries presented.
7. Approved to assign the executive director, with the assistance of council members, to examine consultation and policymaking in the field of culture and tourism.
8. It was agreed that the position of Director of the Museums Council will be advertised for applications in September, as the current Director's term of office will end on December 31st.
9. Other issues:
a. Approved to recommend to the directors of the main museums that they nominate substitutes to sit in on museum board meetings if they are absent.
There was no further discussion and the meeting adjourned at 12:45/AK.