September 27, 2012, 12:15 – 2:15 PM, meeting room in the National Museum tower
Present: Margrét Hallgrímsdóttir, chairman, Halldór B. Runólfsson, Jenný Lind Egilsdóttir, Guðný Dóra Gestsdóttir and Ágústa Kristófersdóttir, acting directors.
1. Issues for discussion and decision:
1.0. Minutes of the 113th and 115th meetings submitted and signed.
1.1. Managing Director's Report:
Advertisement suspension: In consultation with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, it was decided to postpone advertising grants under the new Museums Act until after the end of the year, when the law has come into force. Annual reports of the museum fund: Work is underway to complete the annual reports of the museum fund, a changed format was discussed and a draft table of contents approved. It was agreed to hire Þóra Björk Ólafsdóttir, a business analyst, to process the application data for the years 2008-11 electronically. Museums' Travel School: The mobile school for museum workers was held in Akureyri this time and was considered a success. It was agreed at the mobile school that it would be hosted by the three main museums next year, most likely in Reykjavík. Copyright: HBR will reiterate its submission to the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding copyright issues. The website www.sofn.is (Opens in a new browser window): The museum board's participation in the creation of the site was discussed, and it was agreed that the director would monitor the project with the aim of completing it by the end of the year. The work of the Museum Council until the end of the year: Rakel Halldórsdóttir, the director of the museum council, resigned at the end of last month and will therefore not return after her maternity leave. It was agreed to extend Ágústa Kristófersdóttir's appointment until December 31st, when the museum council takes over. The retirement of the current council was discussed and that it would be right to have the last meeting of the council open and to invite former employees and council members to it. That meeting would be held the first week of December, the agenda will be determined later. The meeting will be recorded and made available on the museum council's website.
1.2 MA thesis by Þóra Björk Ólafsdóttir, Talnasafn: The main findings of the ÞBÓ thesis, which was compiled from museum application materials for the museum fund in 2012, were examined, and it was discussed that it would be a good idea to present them at the last meeting of the current museum council.
1.3 Changes in the work of FÍSOS. Draft report of working group on changes to FÍSOS operations presented and discussed. GDG explained the work. Councillors will review the matter and, if deemed necessary, comments will be prepared and sent between meetings.
1.4 Museum Council field trip 2012. Agenda confirmed.
2. Papers for discussion and decision.
2.1 Applications for operating grants from the Museum of Icelandic History, the Fishing Museum and the Transportation Museum at Ystafell. Processing of applications postponed until after a meeting between the chairman of the Museum Council and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Application for additional project funding for the development of a system for Sarp for art museums. Application for a project grant of ISK 2,000,000 approved. Application from Björn G. Björnsson for a grant for the publication of a book on exhibition design. Application rejected but reference was made to changes in the law that will take effect at the end of next year.
2.2. Request for comment on a foundation grant from the Herring Museum in Siglufjörður: The Museum Council does not comment on the application.
2.3 Export of cultural property. Application from Guðrún Sveinbjarnardóttir, processed between meetings based on the comments of the National Museum of Iceland.
2.4.Export of cultural property. Application from Margrét Hermann Auðardóttir, processed between meetings following comments from the National Museum of Iceland and the Icelandic Archaeological Conservation Agency.
3. Next meeting and other matters.
Other issues:
Museum Board meeting set for October 10. 117th meeting set for November 1.
There was no further discussion and the meeting adjourned at 14:15/AK.