President’s Report of the Federation of Icelandic Artists
for the Operational Year 2024–2025
Presented at the Annual General Meeting on March 23, 2025
The board of the Federation of Icelandic Artists (BÍL) consists of the chairs of its member associations. BÍL currently comprises sixteen member associations. During the year, changes occurred in the leadership of two associations: at the Icelandic Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild, where Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson succeeded Margrét Örnólfsdóttir, and at the Film Directors Association, where Hrönn Sveinsdóttir succeeded Ragnar Bragason. The board of BÍL extends its gratitude to Margrét Örnólfsdóttir and Ragnar Bragason for their valuable collaboration.
The following are the member associations of BÍL and their respective chairs:
The Icelandic Association of Architects (AÍ)
Chair: Sigríður Maack
The Icelandic Choreographers’ Association (DFÍ)
Chair: Katrín Gunnarsdóttir
The Icelandic Classical Singers’ Association (KLASSÍS)
Chair: Þóra Einarsdóttir
The Association of Icelandic Musicians (FÍH)
Chair: Gunnar Hrafnsson
The Association of Icelandic Artists in Performing Arts and Film (FÍL)
Chair: Birna Hafstein
The Icelandic Association of Professional Dancers (FÍLD)
Chair: Lilja Björk Haraldsdóttir
The Classical Division of the Icelandic Musicians’ Union (FÍT)
Chair: Margrét Hrafnsdóttir
The Icelandic Filmmakers’ Association (FK)
Chair: Steingrímur Dúi Másson
The Icelandic Association of Set and Costume Designers (FLB)
Chair: Eva Signý Berger
The Icelandic Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild (FLH)
Chair: Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson
The Icelandic Directors Guild (FLÍ)
Chair: Ólafur Egill Egilsson
The Icelandic Composers and Lyricists Association (FTT)
Chair: Bragi Valdimar Skúlason
The Writers’ Union of Iceland (RSÍ)
Chair: Margrét Tryggvadóttir
The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists (SÍM)
Chair: Anna Eyjólfsdóttir
The Film Directors Association (SKL)
Chair: Hrönn Sveinsdóttir
The Icelandic Composers Society (TÍ)
Chair: Páll Ragnar Pálsson
BÍL Representatives on Committees and Councils (as of March 2025)
Department of Culture and Sports, City of Reykjavík Observer: Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir Deputy Observer: Anna Eyjólfsdóttir
Expert Committee for Cultural, Sports and Leisure Grants 2024 Member: Elvar Bragi Kristjónsson Alternate: Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir Member: Helga Óskarsdóttir Alternate: Starkaður Sigurðarson Member: Gunnar Andreas Kristinsson Alternate: Sólveig Arnarsdóttir Member: Margrét Bjarnadóttir Alternate: Bergur Ebbi Benediktsson
Film Council Member: Drífa Freyja Ármannsdóttir Alternate: Benedikt Erlingsson
Reykjavík Arts Festival Representative Council Member: Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir Alternate: Margrét Örnólfsdóttir
Board of the Artists’ Salary Fund (2024–2027)
Member: Kolbrún Ýr Einarsdóttir
Alternate: Erling Jóhannesson
Board of Skaftfell Center for Visual Art
Member: Anna Eyjólfsdóttir
Alternate: Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir
Icelandic Art and Creative Industries Advisory Council (Business Iceland) Member: Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir
Reykjavík City “Cultural Flag” Project Representative: Karen María Jónsdóttir
Art Without Borders Representative: Margrét Pétursdóttir Alternate: Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir
Board of Gljúfrasteinn (House of Halldór Laxness) Member: Erling Jóhannesson
Guðjón Samúelsson Cultural Fund Representative: Erling Jóhannesson
Sláturhúsið Cultural Centre Advisory Committee (Egilsstaðir) Representative: Wioleta Anna Ujazdowska
Review Committee for Parliamentary Honorary Grants Member: Páll Baldvin Baldvinsson Alternate: Þórunn Gréta Sigurðardóttir
Copyright Council (2025–2028) Member: Mikael Lind Alternate: Margrét Tryggvadóttir
Working Group on Capital Region Development Strategy Representative: Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir
Children’s Cultural Center Member: Vigdís Jakobsdóttir Alternate: Felix Bergsson
Advisory Group on “Art for All” Representatives: Felix Bergsson and Hildur Steinþórsdóttir
Austurbrú – Cultural Advisory Committee Representative: Hlín Pétursdóttir Behrens
West Iceland Cultural Fund Advisory Committee Representative: Eirún Sigurðardóttir
BÍL Representative on the Sustainability Council Member: Erling Jóhannesson Alternate: Sigríður Rósa Bjarnadóttir
Third Preparatory Committee for the Establishment of the National Opera Representatives: Þóra Einarsdóttir and Þórunn Gréta Sigurðardóttir
Selection Committee for Kjarval Atelier in Paris Members: Sindri Freysson and Eirún Sigurðardóttir
Working Group on Inclusion of People with Disabilities in the Arts Member: Helga Rakel Rafnsdóttir Alternate: Þórður Högnason
The President of BÍL represents the organization on the Nordic Council of Artists (Nordisk Kunstnerråd) and serves as the council’s representative on the board of Circolo Scandinavo. The BÍL board distributed responsibilities among its members this year: Margrét Tryggvadóttir, Chair of the Writers Union of Iceland, served as secretary, and Gunnar Hrafnsson, Chair of the Association of Icelandic Musicians (FÍH), served as treasurer. However, it is the financial manager of FÍH, Lúðvík Júlíusson, who manages BÍL’s bookkeeping and financial reporting to the accountant, Helga Þorsteinsdóttir. Auditors for 2024 were Ragnheiður Tryggvadóttir and Guðmundur Helgason.
The board of BÍL met twelve times during the year. It held ten regular board meetings and two consultation meetings. Additionally, a pre-election meeting was held in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts. Regular working meetings were also held with Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, then Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, and after the elections with Logi Einarsson, the new Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education. The board also had a consultation meeting with Einar Þorsteinsson, then Mayor of Reykjavík, and Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, Rector of the Iceland University of the Arts, as well as two meetings with the Artists’ Salary Fund Board and Rannís staff.
1. Artists’ Salaries
Artists’ salaries have been a cornerstone of the cultural infrastructure in Iceland for over a century. Throughout the 20th century and into recent decades, the system has undergone various reforms, new funds have been established, and both the number and amount of grants have changed. It is natural that the system reflects the spirit of the times in Icelandic society. In doing so, it best serves the purpose for which the Artists’ Salary Fund exists: to promote artistic creation in the country.
On 22 June 2024, the Icelandic Parliament (Alþingi) passed an amendment to Act No. 57/2009 on Artists’ Salaries, which increases the number of salary months from 1,600 to 2,490 over a four-year period. In addition, two new funds were established: the Film Authors’ Salary Fund and Vegsemd – a fund for artists aged 67 and older.
The board of BÍL welcomes these changes but notes that the reforms have not been fully funded for the coming years. It is therefore important to ensure continued follow-up and to press the current government to maintain its commitment to these plans. In addition, the BÍL board will continue working towards increasing both the monthly salary amount for artists and the total number of granted months.
2. National Opera
The BÍL board has been actively involved in the legislative process for establishing a National Opera and has emphasized consultation and professionalism as guiding principles. A bill was presented in Parliament in March 2024, following broad discussions with all relevant stakeholders. Unfortunately, the bill was not passed before the summer recess. The then Minister Lilja Alfreðsdóttir deemed it too risky to propose the Artists’ Salary Fund reform concurrently with the bill on the National Opera.
As is known, the governing coalition dissolved in the autumn, and a new government took office. The new Minister of Culture, Logi Einarsson, has continued to advance the initiative, and the bill was reintroduced in Parliament on 18 March 2025. Minor adjustments were made to align it with the current government’s policy. The bill received a positive reception in Parliament, which is encouraging for the BÍL board and all those who have worked diligently on the proposal.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Finnur Bjarnason, project manager of the National Opera Preparatory Committee, the Committee Chair, Þórunn Sigurðardóttir, and other committee members for their valuable and important contribution to the arts in Iceland.
3. Consultation Meeting with Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, Rector of the Iceland University of the Arts
On 7 August 2024, a consultation meeting was held with Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, rector of the Iceland University of the Arts. The rector informed the BÍL Board about the university’s ongoing strategic planning and analysis over the past year, which culminated in a new strategic plan presented to the public on 3 October 2024. The rector announced that the university aims to develop an undergraduate (BA-level) program in arts education and reiterated that the music education program is not being discontinued. However, it is currently under review during the winter, and negotiations with music schools are underway.
The meeting also included discussions on the employment terms of the university’s teaching staff. The rector informed the BÍL board that a key goal is to reform the wage agreements for teachers. She emphasized that it is not ideal for university administrators to lead negotiations and expressed a desire to maintain an appropriate degree of separation, proposing that the Confederation of Icelandic Employers (SA) should be brought to the negotiating table. The first step, however, is to determine which unions the university’s employees should belong to. The abolition of tuition fees was also discussed. The university now receives the same amount in public funding as it previously did from tuition fees. Applications to the university doubled, yet student intake could only be increased by 16.5%. At the end of the meeting, the possibility of distance learning and collaboration with the University of Akureyri was discussed. The BÍL board believes it is important that students outside Reykjavík who cannot relocate should still have access to higher education in the arts. Creative thinking is a foundational pillar of progress in modern society, and art education represents an opportunity to expand the landscape of innovation in Iceland. A university-level arts education program in Akureyri would create significant social momentum, strengthen grassroots initiatives, and raise the overall level of professionalism and cultural life. Following the meeting, the Iceland University of the Arts applied for a grant to improve access to arts education in collaboration with the University of Akureyri and was awarded ISK 29.3 million. The project aims to expand access to arts education outside Reykjavík, increase flexibility in the curriculum, and allow students to tailor their studies to their individual interests.
4. The Contribution of Culture and the Creative Industries to Value Creation in Iceland
On 3 October 2024, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir hosted a symposium on the contribution of culture and the creative industries to value creation in Iceland. At the event, the findings of a report were presented, lectures on the creative sector were given, and a panel discussion was held. The President of BÍL delivered a presentation titled „Value and Valuation in the Creative Industries“, which has since been developed into an article to be published in the journal Vísbending – Weekly Review on Business, Economics and Innovation.
The author of the report is Ágúst Ólafur Ágústsson. Although the report was published over six months ago and a government reshuffle has taken place, its findings remain relevant and important. The report is expected to serve culture and the discourse on its economic significance in the years to come. It was long overdue to be able to discuss culture and the arts using data-driven premises and reference publicly available information about the economic impact of culture in Iceland – something that has been requested for years. The findings are generally positive and highlight the importance of culture and the arts for the national economy. The report also includes numerous recommendations for the cultural sector, indicating the quality and thoroughness of its preparation.
At the close of the symposium, Minister Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir and the director of Statistics Iceland, Hrafnhildur Arnkelsdóttir, signed a service agreement concerning the dissemination of statistical data on culture and the creative industries. The aim of the agreement is to strengthen the statistical reporting of the social and economic impact of these industries, which play a key role in prosperity, employment, and value creation. Regular statistical data on culture and the creative industries will shed light on the development of this economic sector and assist government authorities in decisionmaking and policy formulation. With this initiative, the government and Statistics Iceland aim to increase the visibility of the sector and enhance understanding of the importance of culture and creative industries for society. The BÍL board has been advocating for this development for years and welcomes the opportunity to better illuminate this important sector of the economy and society as a whole.
5. Election Forum – Putting Culture on the Agenda
On 17 November 2024, BÍL, in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts, hosted an election forum where all political parties were invited to a panel discussion on the arts and culture. Attendees were also given the opportunity to engage directly with political candidates regarding their policies on cultural issues. The event was moderated by cultural consultant and theatre director Vigdís Jakobsdóttir and was streamed live on the news platform Vísir.is. Attendance was solid, with approximately 100 people present in person and 1,136 viewers watching the event online, according to Vísir.
To promote the forum, BÍL encouraged members of its affiliated associations to post selfies on social media accompanied by text underscoring the message that culture and the arts are social multipliers, contributing to enhanced societal welfare, unity, quality of life, and happiness. This campaign exceeded expectations, achieved wide circulation, and did not go unnoticed by the political parties. Collective action proved effective: the campaign successfully brought culture to the forefront of the political agenda and garnered commitments from political representatives.
Following the event, the design agency Brandenburg was engaged to develop materials based on YES/NO questions posed to the candidates, and the results were shared on social media.
The BÍL board thanks both the election forum’s preparatory committee and the Iceland University of the Arts for their excellent collaboration.
6. Consultation Meeting with Einar Þorsteinsson, Mayor of Reykjavík
On 4 December 2024, a consultation meeting was held with Einar Þorsteinsson, then Mayor of Reykjavík. The meeting was based on the cooperation agreement between BÍL and the City of Reykjavík, under which BÍL provides professional advice to the city authorities on matters relating to culture and the arts. The purpose of this agreement is to enhance professionalism in the cultural policy and artistic creation in Reykjavík.
In addition to the mayor, attendees included Steinþór Einarsson, acting director of the Department of Culture and Sports, Arnfríður Rúna Valdimarsdóttir, director of the Reykjavík City of Culture Office, and Inga María Leifsdóttir, project manager.
The BÍL board emphasized the importance of making Reykjavík a city where artists are able and willing to live and work, one of the guiding themes of Reykjavík’s cultural policy which expired in 2023. Unfortunately, over the past two decades, one creative space after another has been closed down due to tourism, stricter safety regulations, or lack of funding. Grassroots artistic activities in music, visual arts, and performing arts are now facing a severe shortage of workspace. BÍL calls on the City of Reykjavík to seek comprehensive solutions for artists’ working spaces, including venues for creation, rehearsals, performances, exhibitions, and other forms of cultural dissemination.
The BÍL board welcomes the appointment of Vigdís Jakobsdóttir, by both the city and national authorities, to map out the infrastructure needs for performing arts and concert venues. However, BÍL has also stressed to the City Council that it is equally important to map studio spaces for visual artists. Currently, about 140 artists are losing access to studios located at Ægisgata 7 and Seljavegur 32.
Many important topics were addressed at the meeting, including:
Cultural Policy of Reykjavík 2030
BÍL is ready to contribute to the development of a new cultural policy and its accompanying action plan if requested.
Cultural Grants from the Reykjavík City Fund
BÍL believes the fund should be expanded and reflect the realities of today’s society. These grants are a crucial foundation for artistic activities in Reykjavík and represent one of the most valuable societal investments, supporting welfare and fostering innovation in the city’s cultural life.
Music Education
BÍL reminded the mayor of a resolution sent to the city on 27 August 2024, expressing concern about the state of music schools in Reykjavík. Recent trends in the schools’ operations are troubling and it is imperative to resist them and turn the tide around. Due to austerity and budget cuts, age restrictions have been introduced for students, which raises concerns about equality and has already affected student numbers. The mayor responded by saying that the city does not fund adult music education and that such education is not mandated by law.
Artificial Intelligence
The discussion addressed the emergence of AI. BÍL emphasized the importance of preserving humanity and compassion in society and within ourselves, where the arts play a vital role. AI presents both opportunities and challenges. The City of Reykjavík must be aware that using AI in advertising could result in lost job opportunities for artists and designers. Reykjavík should be a leader in original creation and support artists’ and designers’ livelihoods. The mayor agreed that city leadership should address this development, both internally and publicly.
Reykjavík City Theatre (Borgarleikhúsið)
The BÍL board expressed concern that a wage agreement had not yet been reached with the Reykjavík City Theatre regarding actors, choreographers, and dancers. This small and vulnerable group should be placed on equal footing with artistic directors. The mayor noted that the City Theatre is an independent foundation and that the city does not participate in wage negotiations. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the importance of fairly valuing artists’ work and stated that the city’s cooperation with the theatre may need to be reviewed if it is not fulfilling its obligations.
7. Consultation Meetings with the Board of the Artists’ Salary Fund
On 11 September 2024, a consultation meeting was held with the board of the Artists’ Salary Fund and staff from Rannís to discuss feedback and decision letters for applicants to the Artists’ Salary Fund. The board expressed interest in changing the procedure so that applicants would receive more detailed decision letters than had previously been the case, which typically included only brief feedback. Not all participants agreed on the value of the proposal, as the specific implementation is crucial. Allocations were made in early December, and unfortunately, there was inconsistency across artistic fields in how the feedback was presented. Visual artists received significantly more detailed feedback than others, which some considered harsh. This led to substantial dissatisfaction among visual artists. By contrast, most artists who received responses from other funds were pleased with the content of the decision letters and welcomed the encouraging tone of the feedback.
A second consultation meeting was held on 15 January 2025 to review the process and identify lessons learned. At that meeting, it became clear that the board of the Artists’ Salary Fund had not intended to provide personalized feedback but rather uniform decision texts. Such texts have always been prepared by the allocation committees but had not been disclosed until now. The board acknowledged that the process would have been improved by maintaining consistency in the decision letters across all funds. The meeting also addressed the ethical guidelines of professional associations regarding the work of the allocation committees. Following this, the president of BÍL sent the board of the Artists’ Salary Fund BÍL’s Code of Ethics (adopted in 2016), requesting that member associations authorize the boards and allocation committees to act in accordance with these rules.
Two letters were received by the board of BÍL following the allocation of the Artists’ Salary Fund. One was from a group of artists calling for greater transparency in the statistical data regarding artist salaries, noting that certain aspects of the allocation process remain unclear. They specifically mentioned the need for information on residence, sexual orientation, race, disability status, and gender identity of applicants. The group expressed hope that the next year’s allocation committee would make a concerted effort to support the diverse and talented community of visual artists working in Iceland and enable a broader range of voices to be heard. The aim should be for the allocations to reflect the diversity of society and for the committee’s working methods to be transparent and fair. The second letter was submitted anonymously and highlighted a long-standing imbalance in the allocation of artist salaries within the visual arts. The board of BÍL reviewed both letters and expressed its gratitude for the input.
8. Capital Region Development Strategy 2025–2029
The president of BÍL was invited to participate in a two-hour workshop organized by the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area as part of the revision of the Capital Region’s Development Strategy. The consultancy firm KPMG managed the project. The workshop focused on setting priorities and goals, and draft proposals for projects under the 2025–2029 development strategy were presented. The focus areas were: “Transport and Environment,” “Employment and Innovation,” and “Welfare and Society.” The invitation stated that the consultation platform would consist of elected municipal representatives and representatives from institutions, businesses, the cultural sector, and academia.
On 21 January, BÍL was invited to submit a written opinion via the government consultation portal and took this opportunity to submit formal comments. In its response, BÍL expressed disappointment that the Association of Municipalities had not placed greater emphasis on culture, cultural policy, and cultural institutions, nor recognized the opportunities inherent in arts and culture in Iceland. BÍL submitted a detailed opinion, requesting a dedicated section in the development strategy on cultural affairs, including the following goals and success indicators:
Goal 1: Promote societal well-being and increase quality of life. Goal 2: Enhance social unity and provide the underlying fabric that gives people a sense of belonging.
Success Indicators:
Increased participation in culture and the arts
Improved access to cultural and artistic experiences
Greater availability of high-quality facilities and enhanced educational opportunities in the arts
BÍL will continue to follow up on this issue and plans to request a meeting with the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area in the autumn of 2025.
9. Statements of Support / Freedom of Expression and Copyright
Artists Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson and Dóra Jóhannesdóttir approached the board of BÍL during the past year seeking support. Oddur’s case has received extensive media coverage in Iceland and internationally. The company Samherji filed a lawsuit against Oddur over his performance artwork “We’re SORRY”, which included a website that appeared to issue an apology on behalf of Samherji. Samherji demanded that Oddur take down the website, transfer the domain to the company, publicly admit the website was false, and delete all materials related to the artwork. BÍL publicly declared its strong support for the performance artist ODEE in his fight for freedom of expression and called on Samherji to respect the artist’s right to free expression and withdraw the lawsuit.
Dóra Jóhannsdóttir sought support from BÍL for her application for legal aid in a case she brought against the production company Glass River. The case concerns alleged violations of her moral rights and copyright in relation to the project Húsó. The board of BÍL agreed to support her request for legal aid but clarified that BÍL was not taking a position in the legal dispute, as it is neither a court nor a judicial body.
The board of BÍL emphasizes the inviolable principles of copyright and moral rights. Artists should be free to create the works they wish, express themselves without fear of censorship or oppression, and produce ambiguous and provocative artworks that challenge society.
10. Cooperation Agreements with the State and City
An agreement was signed with the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs on 23 January 2025. The contract is valid until the end of 2026 and outlines a three-year collaboration between the ministry and BÍL regarding advisory services on matters concerning artists and cultural affairs. Under this agreement, BÍL’s board members regularly meet with the Minister and ministry officials to review the status of key issues affecting artists and the artistic environment. Four such meetings were held last year.
The president of BÍL also met with Arnfríður Valdimarsdóttir (Adda Rún), head of the Department of Culture for the City of Reykjavík, to discuss a service agreement for 2024. BÍL requested a three-year agreement. On 13 December 2024, the Reykjavík Committee on Culture, Sports, and Leisure approved a two-year service agreement with BÍL, including an annual increase indexed to inflation. No new agreement has been signed since 2023, but BÍL’s president has requested that the contract be finalized at the earliest opportunity.
11. Other Matters
In autumn 2024, BÍL issued a public appeal to all media outlets calling for increased coverage of arts and culture. Cultural journalism has never been more important. Reduced media coverage leads to lower attendance at cultural events, fewer book sales, and less general engagement with the arts. This appeal led to an interview with BÍL’s president in Morgunblaðið.
On 11 February 2025, the president of BÍL published an article supporting the wage negotiations of the Icelandic Union of Performing Artists, advocating for better pay for actors, choreographers, and dancers working at the Reykjavík City Theatre. It is gratifying to report that on 18 March 2025, an agreement was signed, and this positive outcome concludes the annual report on a hopeful note.
12. Closing Remarks
This first year as president of BÍL has been both educational and eventful, filled with engaging and challenging projects. In total, I attended just under 100 meetings with leaders from BÍL’s member organizations, partners, and various stakeholders. Among them was a productive meeting with the cultural representatives of Iceland’s regional associations, which led to BÍL formally contacting all regional directors to propose a professional role for BÍL in the allocation of grants from rural development funds. The regional associations of West Iceland and South Iceland have since requested such professional involvement from BÍL, which is very encouraging.
Many achievements were made during this term, and meetings with the new Minister of Culture are promising. Ongoing and new challenges must be addressed with both determination and joy. Things can change quickly – such as when the Film Fund narrowly escaped a major budget cut. Thankfully, due to the persistence of the filmmaking community, an additional ISK 300 million was secured for 2025 and ISK 100 million for 2024. This success was hard-won by the dedicated efforts of the professional associations involved.
I look forward to continuing the work of improving conditions and creating a better professional environment for artists, guided by the support and strength of BÍL’s board.
I sincerely thank the current board for their collaboration this past year. Special thanks to Erling, my predecessor as president of BÍL, treasurer Gunnar Hrafnsson, bookkeeper Lúðvík, and Margrét Tryggvadóttir for their guidance and unwavering support.