In this country, a large number of museums operate; they are run by the state, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and as private foundations. There are also museums run by private individuals.
The Council for Collections addresses the affairs of the collections that fall under its jurisdiction. Museum Act No. 141/2011.
Here you can find links and information about various museum-related activities in Iceland.
The Three Main Collections
National museums are owned by the state and are centers of museum activities in their respective fields. They are established by law, which specifies their operations in more detail. There are three national museums: the National Gallery of Iceland, the National Museum of Natural History of Iceland, and the National Museum of Iceland. They advise other museums and shall promote cooperation among museums and a coordinated museum policy in their respective fields.
Lead institutions shall take the lead on museum matters in their field, promote the strengthening and coordination of museum work, and guide professional collaboration among museums and other parties. Lead institutions shall strive to enhance and expand the knowledge and skills of museum staff.
Head collections shall be responsible for promoting their area of expertise at home and abroad.
The collections of major institutions shall be the foundation of their educational and exhibition activities. They shall also be accessible for research.
Furthermore, it is possible to learn about the legal environment of museums. here.
The heads of major museums also attend meetings of the museum board by virtue of their position.
Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals – FÍSOS
FÍSOS was founded in 1981 to promote cooperation and education among those working in art, heritage, and natural history museums in Iceland. The association's objectives are fourfold and are enshrined in its bylaws; to promote cooperation and interaction between museums and museum professionals, discuss museum affairs, increase knowledge and education about museums and museum work, and handle communications with museum professionals and similar organizations abroad. Secondly, to strive to secure the rights and interests of its members. Thirdly, to hold the Museum Workers' Summer School, where museum staff receive professional training and continuing education. And fourthly, to publish a newsletter. These goals are also sought to be achieved through publishing, meetings, lectures, courses, and travel.
FÍSOS website
International Council of Museums - ICOM Iceland Chapter
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) serves society and its development by advocating for cultural heritage and cultural products. ICOM operates through national and professional committees that focus on specific areas of museum work. The Icelandic branch of ICOM was founded in 1985 as a professional forum for Icelandic museum professionals and a liaison to the international organization.
Website of the Icelandic Chapter of ICOM
Museum Studies Program at the University of Iceland
Museum Studies Program It began at the University of Iceland in 2009. Museum Studies is now taught as a BA minor, a master's degree program, and a doctoral program.
Museology is inherently interdisciplinary, as various academic disciplines are connected to the work of museums. These include history, archaeology, art history, ethnography, anthropology, literary studies, and linguistics. Also the natural sciences such as natural history, and fields like conservation, pedagogy, and information technology. Then there are fields related to management, computers, marketing and economics, and finally tourism studies, not to mention numerous fields in design and communication.
Program website
Brochure about the program
The Bureau of Statistics
Central Bureau of Statistics of Iceland Collects and publishes various statistical information about museum activities in Iceland.
The datasets can be found here.
Icelandic Museum Day
Every year there is International Museum Day celebrated on May 18th in collaboration FÍSOS and Icelandic Section of ICOM. The goal of the day is to promote and strengthen museum work in Iceland, and museums are encouraged to host events and even offer free admission for the occasion. As this is an international event, participants are in 140 countries, and up to 35,000 museums celebrate the day. This coming May 18th, museums are encouraged to participate in International Museum Day, and this year's theme, „Museums, Sustainability and Well-being,“ highlights choices United Nations Global Goals.
3. Health and Well-being: Promote a healthy lifestyle and well-being for people of all ages, taking into account mental health and the dangers of social isolation.
13. Climate Action: Take urgent action against climate change and its impacts, significantly reduce carbon emissions in the Northern Hemisphere, and reduce pollution in the Southern Hemisphere.
15. Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halt the degradation of biodiversity, and give greater prominence to the voices of indigenous peoples in the discussion.
Museums play a significant role in matters concerning sustainable development and the well-being of the people in the communities they serve. Museums are built on public trust, connect diverse groups, and are therefore uniquely positioned to bring about positive change. Museums can contribute and support the United Nations' Global Goals in various ways: from participating in climate action and fostering diversity to advocating against social isolation and improving mental health.
Every year since 2020, International Museum Day has shed light on choices. United Nations Global Goals. In ICOM's 2019 resolutions regarding sustainability and the United Nations' agreement, Transforming the World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (e. Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), says: all museums have a duty to foster and lay the foundation for sustainable thinking for the future, through education, exhibitions, community projects, and research.
Icelandic Museum Day was first held in 1997 at the initiative of museum professionals themselves. The purpose of the day is to highlight the importance of professional preservation and presentation of the nation's shared treasures, and the unique opportunity for living learning and entertainment that can be found in museums.
Now, Icelandic Museum Day is celebrated together with International Museum Day, which is on May 18th each year. The goal of International Museum Day, however, is to promote and strengthen museum work around the world, and each year there is a special theme that is highlighted. Information about International Museum Day can be found at website of the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals.
The Icelandic Museum Awards
The Icelandic Museum Awards are awarded every other year and are intended to draw attention to the good work being done at Icelandic museums. They are also intended to foster professional ambition and serve as an encouragement to present the nation's culture in a progressive and interesting way. The Museum Awards are sponsored by the Icelandic chapter of ICOM and the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals (FÍSOS).
The award is given to one museum that has been deemed to have excelled and to set an example. No distinction is made between types of museums, so all museums in the country are considered: history and folk museums, art museums, natural history museums, and other specialized museums.
The Museum Awards were first presented in 2000. A selection committee, composed of representatives from the societies and a representative from the museum that last received the award, chooses from submitted ideas, but proposals are sought from the general public as well as from professionals. The recognition that comes with the award is an honor and an encouragement to the three nominated museums, not least to the museum that wins the award.
Award winners
2024: Reykjavik Art Museum
2022: Akureyri Museum
2020: National Museum of Iceland
2018: Art Museum of Árnessýsla
2016: Skagfirðinga Museum of Local History
2014: Sarps Operating Company
2012: South East Iceland Museum, Húsavík
2010: The New Art Museum
2008: Westfjords Museum in Ísafjörður
2006: Reykjavik Museum of History
2003: National Museum of Iceland, Photo Department
2002: Arnesingas Museum of Local History
2001: Reykjavik Art Museum
2000: The Herring Museum in Siglufjörður
More information can be found on the website. ICOM