The ArtsThe National Cultural Heritage
Broadcasting
Language Policy
SportsYouth Activities

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
April 2009

Translator:

Alda Guðmundsdóttir

Published by:

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
Sölvhólsgata 4
150 Reykjavík
Tel.: +354 545 9500
Fax: +354 562 3068
E-mail: postur@mrn.stjr.is
Web: www.menntamalaraduneyti.isContents
The arts and cultural affairs ......................................................................................... 7
Literature ..................................................................................................................... 9
Theatre and other performing arts ............................................................................. 11
Visual arts .................................................................................................................. 12Music ......................................................................................................................... 14
Cinema ...................................................................................................................... 15
Museums and the national cultural heritage .............................................................. 17
Cultural agreements with local authorities .............................................................. 211
Broadcasting .............................................................................................................. 24
Sports......................................................................................................................... 25
Youth and leisure activities ....................................................................................... 27
Budget allocations ..................................................................................................... 29

Culture„Culture‟ is a difficult term to define. It is vague by nature and variable inscope. In the context of this report, the focus is on cultural issues asadministered by the Department of Cultural Affairs, a special department of
the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, which do not fall under the
categories of education or science. The division between these sets of issues
can often be rather unclear. Obviously schools and scientific institutions playa fundamental role in the nation‟s cultural life. It should also be noted that ina discussion limited by the this framework, important aspects of culture areleft out, such as those relating to the National Church and other religious
denominations. This framework, however, incorporates the traditional
definition of the arts, such as music, drama, literature, cinema, the media
and the preservation and transmission of the cultural heritage. Sports andyouth activities are also included in the definition of culture in this context.
Most cultural activities in Iceland are in the hands of individuals or nongovernmental organisations, and are free of official intervention in terms ofthe content and structure of the work. This applies to the arts, sports andyouth activities, and various other cultural affairs. Examples of state-owned
institutions in the cultural sector are the National Theatre, the National
Gallery and the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Apart fromrunning a few important institutions of this sort, the state‟s role in the field isprimarily to ensure a fertile environment for activities instigated by others,
and to support such initiative as well as possible, so that it may flourish. The
Ministry‟s cultural agreements with local authorities are guided by thisprinciple, aiming to support the foundations of cultural activity throughout
Iceland.
Public institutions play a substantial role in the preservation of cultural
heritage. Most major museums or galleries are operated or funded by thestate or local authorities, sometimes as a cooperative effort between the two.
Responsibility is broadly divided in this area, as each and every Icelander
plays a part in the preservation and development of the cultural heritageand its transmission to future generations. This is, for example, obvious insuch a fundamental element as the national language, Icelandic.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, hereafter referred to as the
Ministry of Culture, emphasizes the autonomy of cultural institutions run by
the state. Performance-based agreements have been made with theinstitutions, in which they set goals and prioritise tasks. Funds administeredby the Ministry are allocated on a professional basis, in which maintaining areasonable distance is held as a guiding principle.

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The Ministry of Culture’s support for the artsand general cultural affairs
The Ministry of Culture is responsible for administering the arts and generalcultural affairs in Iceland. State support of the arts and culture is meant toallow Icelandic citizens to enjoy arts and culture regardless of their social
status, and to ensure a favourable working environment for artists. The
state‟s involvement in the arts focuses primarily on professional artists andarts institutions. The state‟s support in the field is as outlined below.
Operation of art institutions
By operating art institutions, the state wishes to ensure that Icelandic
citizens are given the opportunity to enjoy art by professional artists thatmeet the highest standards, as well as providing professional artists with thebest possible conditions for their creativity. Moreover, art institutions arevenues for creativity in Icelandic art and preservation of the cultural heritage
in that field.
Direct allocations from the national budget to independent arts
organisations and others
The state allocates funding to independent parties that operate arts
institutions founded on similar premises as those run by the state. This gives
a greater number of individuals the opportunity to engage in artistic andcultural activities on a professional basis. Cultural agreements with local
authorities also fall under this category.
Artists’ salaries
The state provides working grants to professional artists to ensure that they
have the opportunity to devote themselves entirely to their art, free fromexternal concerns, thus ensuring a high standard of artistic creativity in
Iceland.
Funds supporting the arts and general cultural affairs
The Ministry of Culture allocates grants for projects of various types, inorder to ensure that professional and independent creative work can takeplace. Grants are also provided for artistic groups, in order to secure
consistency in their activities and work. In that way, artistic creativity andexpression on a professional basis are placed on a par with basic research inthe sciences, for example.
Promotion of Icelandic arts and artists abroad
Artists‟ participation in international cooperation is a necessary ingredient inpromoting artistic creativity in Iceland and cannot be held separate fromother artistic work. The state helps to facilitate such artistic cooperation, in
addition to actively promoting Icelandic arts and culture abroad.

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The arts and cultural affairs
Artists’ salaries
Under the current Artists‟ Salaries Act no. 35/1991 with later amendments,
artists‟ salaries are allocated each year from four separate funds: the Writers‟
Fund, the Visual Artists‟ Fund, the Composers‟ Fund and the Arts Fund. The
first three are specialised funds with their own allocation committees,
whereas the Arts Fund is a general fund serving all the arts. In addition toartists‟ salaries, the funds are authorised to provide study and travel grants.
The funds are supervised by a three-member Artists‟ Salary Board, which
also makes decisions on allocations from the Arts Fund. The Minister ofCulture appoints the board for three-year terms on the basis of nominations
from the Federation of Icelandic Artists and the Icelandic Academy for theArts. One member is appointed without nomination.
The purpose of artists‟ salaries is to stimulate artistic creativity in Icelandand to make it possible for those artists receiving the salary grants to devote
themselves entirely to their respective craft.
Artists‟ salaries paid annually amount to 1,200 monthly wages. Artists‟salaries were paid according to the same scale as Grade II AssistantProfessors at the University of Iceland at any given time. Now they are paid
as contractor payment. Artists receiving salary grants from the state may not
to be engaged in other full-time work, and are expected to submit a reporton their work. Allocations to the Artists‟ Salaries Fund under the 2009 statebudget were ISK 362,4 million. www.listamannalaun.is. Artists‟ salaries are
divided amongst the following funds:
The Writers’ Salary Fund
The Writers‟ Salary Fund allocates salaries equivalent to 480 monthly
salaries on an annual basis. All Icelandic writers may submit applications to
the fund. Allocations for translations into Icelandic can also be made fromthe fund. A three-member committee, appointed annually by the Minister ofCulture on the basis of recommendations from the Writers‟ Union of Iceland,
makes decisions on allocations from the Writers‟ Salary Fund.
The Visual Artists’ Salary Fund
The Visual Artists‟ Salary Fund allocates salaries equivalent to 320 monthly
salaries on an annual basis. A three-member committee, appointed annuallyby the Minister of Culture on the basis of recommendations by the
Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, makes decisions on allocations fromthe Visual Artists‟ Salary Fund.
The Composers’ Salary Fund
The Composers‟ Salary Fund allocates salaries equivalent to 100 monthly
salaries on an annual basis. A three-member committee, appointed annuallyby the Minister of Culture on the basis of recommendations by the
Association of Icelandic Composers, makes allocations from the Composers‟
Salary Fund.

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The Arts Fund
The Arts Fund allocates salaries and grants equivalent to 300 monthly wages
on an annual basis. The Arts Fund also disburses special grants to artists,
including those who were the recipients of artists‟ salaries for several years
prior to 31 December 1991 and have reached the age of 60. Up to one third of
the budget allocation to the Arts Fund shall be used to support independent
theatre groups in accordance with provisions in the Dramatic Arts Act, on
condition that these be used to pay the wages of individual performers.
The Community Centres’ Cultural FundThe fund operates under the Community Centres‟ Act no. 107/1970 withlater amendments. Its functions are more closely defined in Regulations on
the Community Centres‟ Cultural Fund no. 296/1990. The primary purposeof the fund is to provide grants to cover travel and transport costs inconnection with cultural events held outside the capital area. The fund isadministered by the Cultural Fund Committee, appointed by the Minister ofCulture for four-year terms; two members on the basis of nominations by
the Icelandic Youth Association and the Federation of Icelandic Women‟s
Associations, respectively, one on the basis of a joint nomination by the
Association of Icelandic Amateur Theatres and the Association of Icelandic
Visual Artists, and one without nomination. No allocations are to the fund in
the 2009 national budget.
The Non-fiction Writers’ Salary Fund
The Non-fiction Writers‟ Salary Fund operates in accordance with
Regulation No. 268/1999 and allocates salaries on an annual basis. Writersof popular academic works, referencebooks, dictionaries and extensive
informative works of various types in Icelandic are entitled to apply for
disbursements from the fund. The Non-fiction Writers‟ Salary Fund‟sadministrative committee is appointed by the Minister of Culture for twoyear terms; one member nominated by the Icelandic Research Council, one
nominated by Hagþenkir, the Association of Icelandic Non-fiction Writers,
and the chairman is appointed by the Minister without nomination.
Allocations to the fund from the 2009 national budget were ISK 13,3 million.
The Children’s Cultural Fund
The Children‟s Cultural Fund was founded in 1994 with an allocation from
the Ministry of Culture, and subjected to regulations No. 246/1994. It
derives its income from annual contributions by the Ministry of Culture, as
well as other arbitrary contributions. The role of the Children‟s CulturalFund is to support artistic and cultural projects that are specifically designed
for children and/or created with their active participation. The board of theChildren‟s Cultural Fund is appointed by the Minister of Culture for twoyear terms; the Icelandic Teachers‟ Association, the Federation of Icelandic
Artists and the National Youth Council each nominating a member, and two
members are appointed without nomination. The first disbursement fromthe fund was in 1995. Allocations to the fund from the 2009 national budget
were ISK 4,9 million.

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The Reykjavík Arts Festival
The Reykjavík Arts Festival is an institution with its own administration. Itsrole is to prepare and conduct arts festivals in Reykjavík presenting music
and singing, theatre and dance, literature, visual arts and architecture. The
Ministry of Culture, the City of Reykjavík, and various organisations andinstitutions in the fields of art and culture are the affiliates of the Reykjavík
Arts Festival. The administration of the Reykjavík Arts Festival is carried out
by a council of representatives. The preparation and execution of the
Reykjavík Arts Festival is the responsibility of its administrative board andthe artistic director hired by the board. Three members make up the board:
one nominated by the Minister of Culture, one nominated by the Mayor of
Reykjavík, and one elected bi-annually at the Annual General Meeting of therepresentative council of the Festival. The Ministry of Culture and the Cityof Reykjavík guarantee financial support for the Reykjavík Arts Festival
under a special agreement regarding funding for the cultural andpromotional work of the festival. The Ministry of Culture‟s contribution to
the Reykjavík Arts Festival in 2009 amounted to ISK 36 million.
www.artfest.is.

Literature
Public libraries
The Public Libraries Act No. 36/1997 stipulates that all residents of Icelandshall have access to the services provided by public libraries, their role being
defined as information and cultural institutions for the general public. The
Act requires all municipalities to provide such services. Each library shallarrange its operations in such a way as to facilitate the best possible
collaboration between libraries in Iceland, as regards service for users.
Under the Act, public libraries are defined as libraries for the public run bydifferent local authorities on the one hand, and libraries in hospitals, nursing
homes and prisons, run by the respective institution, on the other.
An advisory committee on the matters of public libraries is appointed by the
Minister of Culture for three-year terms. The committee is made up of three
representatives; one nominated by the Association of Local Authorities in
Iceland, one by the National and University Library of Iceland, and the third
by the Icelandic Library Association. The Minister of Culture appoints achairman and deputy chairman from amongst the committee members.
Under the Compulsory School Act and the Upper Secondary School Act,libraries should be operated for students.
The National and University Library of Iceland
The National and University Library of Iceland operates according to Act
No. 71/1994 with later amendments, Regulation No. 706/1998, and the Act
on Compulsory Returns to Libraries and Museums, No. 20/2002.
Its role is to collect and preserve the written cultural resources of the
Icelandic nation, acquire printed matter from abroad for the different

9faculties of and general needs at the University of Iceland, and to provide
the academic community, students at the University of Iceland and thegeneral public with the best access possible to the materials kept by thelibrary. The Minister of Culture appoints a five-member library board forterms of four years; two nominated by the University Senate of the
University of Iceland, one nominated by the scientific committee of the
Science and Technology Policy Council, one nominated by the Icelandic
Library Association, and one without nomination. The Minister of Culture
appoints a National Librarian for five-year terms. Allocations from thenational budget in 2009 were ISK 664,2 million. www.bok.hi.is.
The Icelandic Library for the Blind
The Icelandic Library for the Blind operates in accordance with Act No.
35/1982 and Regulation No. 201/1987, with later amendments. According toParagraph 1 of the Icelandic Library for the Blind Act, its role is to provide
comprehensive library services to the blind, to those with limited vision andanyone unable to use regular printed matter. The Ministry of Culture
appoints the five-person board of the Icelandic Library for the Blind for fouryear terms. Two members are nominated by the Icelandic Association of theBlind, one is nominated by the Association of Icelandic Special Education
Teachers, one by Upplýsing – the Icelandic Library and Information Science
Association, and one represents the Ministry of Culture. The board elects achairman and deputy chairman from its ranks. The Minister of Culture
appoints a director of the Icelandic Library for the Blind for five-year termson the basis of a report by the library‟s board. Allocations from the 2009
national budget were ISK 83,4 million. www.bbi.is.
The Literature Fund
The Literature fund was established by Act No. 91/2007. Its role is tosupport Icelandic literature and quality publishing. The fund shall discharge
its role by supporting the publication of original Icelandic works of fiction
and quality publications that are likely to promote Icelandic culture,
supporting the publication of quality foreign literature in Icelandic,
supporing the promotion of Icelandic literature in Iceland and abroad andby carrying out other projects that come under the purview of the board of
the Literature Fund. The Fund replaces the Cultural Fund, the Literature
Promotion Fund and the Translation Fund. The Minister of Culture appoints
five persons to the board of the Literature Fund for a term of three years at atime. The Writers‟ Union of Iceland nominates two representatives, theIcelandic Publishers‟ Association one, Hagþenkir – Association of Icelandic
Non-fiction Writers– one and one without nomination. The Act also replaces
the Act No. 33/1997 on the Writers‟ Lending Library Fund. Section III of the
Act No. 91/2007 stipulates payments to writers for the use of books inlibraries. A special committee, appointed by the Minister of Culture for aterm of three years at a time, is in charge of allocations. It consists of fivepersons. Hagþenkir – Association of Icelandic Non-fiction Writers, theWriters‟ Union of Iceland, and Myndstef – the Icelandic Visual Artists‟s
Rights Society nominate one each and two members, one of whom shall be
the chairman, are appointed without nomination. In 2009 allocations to the
Literature Fund from the national budget are ISK 50 million and ISK 30
million to payments for the use of books in libraries. www.bok.is andwww.rsi.is

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Theatre and other performing arts
The Dramatic Arts Act No. 138/1998 stipulates that the state funds andoperates a National Theatre and provides allocations from the national
budget on an annual basis to support other forms of dramatic arts, both on aprofessional and amateur basis. In addition to general theatre, such funding
may incorporate children‟s theatre, puppet theatre, opera and dance.
Provisions in the Dramatic Arts Act stipulate that local authorities should
provide funding for the dramatic arts in their areas according to allocations
set aside on their individual budgets.
The Dramatic Arts Council
The Minister of Culture appoints a three-member Drama Council for a twoyear term. One member is nominated by the Icelandic Theatre Association,
one by the Association of Independent Theatres, and one is appointed
without nomination and is also the chairman of the council. The primary
purpose of the council is to make recommendations to the Minister ofCulture regarding funding for professional theatre groups, and to provide
commentary on matters in the dramatic arts field when requested to do soby the Ministry of Culture. The council can also take the initiative and direct
recommendations and proposals concerning the dramatic arts to the
Ministry.
The National Theatre
The National Theatre operates under the Dramatic Arts Act No. 138/1998.
The primary role of the National Theatre is to present plays, both Icelandic
and foreign, as well as operas and musicals. One or more productions per
year should be aimed especially at children. The National Theatre should
endeavour to stimulate Icelanders‟ interest in the dramatic arts and otherperforming arts. It should strive to promote the writing of new Icelandic
plays and act as a model for the artistic production of various projects andthe use of the Icelandic language. The Minister of Culture appoints a fivemember National Theatre Council for four-year terms. The Icelandic Actors‟
Association nominates one member, the Icelandic Association of Stage, Filmand TV Directors nominates one, and three are appointed without
nomination. The chairman and deputy chairman are appointed fromamongst the council members. The Minister of Culture appoints an artistic
director of the National Theatre for five-year terms, on the recommendationof the National Theatre Council. Allocations from the 2009 national budget
were ISK 719,8 million. www.leikhusid.is
The Iceland Dance Company
The Iceland Dance Company operates according to regulations concerning
the Iceland Dance Company No. 14/2001 with later amendments, as per the
Dramatic Arts Act No. 138/1998. The role of the Iceland Dance Company isto perform artistic dance, facilitate innovation in Icelandic choreography andto be a venue for the strengthening and growth of artistic dance in Iceland.
The Icelandic Dance Company is presided over by the artistic director incooperation with the board, made up of three members appointed by the11Minister of Culture for four-year terms. One member is nominated by the
Icelandic Association of Professional Dancers, and two members areappointed without nomination, of whom one shall act as chairman. The
artistic director is the director of the company and is appointed by the
Minister of Culture for five-year terms, based on the board‟s
recommendation. Allocations from the 2009 budget were ISK 121,9 million.
www.id.is.
Theatre and opera
The Ministry of Culture, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður, and the
Hafnarfjörður Theatre Company Hermóður og Háðvör have signed anagreement in effect until 2009 stipulating financial support for the activitiesof the company. The Ministry‟s contribution amounts to ISK 20 million
annually in 2007 to 2009. www.hhh.is
Under a cultural agreement, the Municipality of Akureyri and the statetreasury contribute with an equal sum to the professional theatre company
run under the auspices of the Akureyri City Theatre. www.leikfelag.is
The Icelandic Opera is a non-profit institution that receives its funding fromthe state treasury. The Ministry of Culture and the board of the Icelandic
Opera have signed an agreement concerning its activities. The purpose of
the Icelandic Opera is to promote the development of continuous anddiverse operatic performances under the auspices of the Icelandic Opera,
and to provide a venue for Icelandic opera singers to use their education andshowcase their talents. The agreement is in effect until the end of year 2009.
Under the agreement, the state‟s contribution in 2007 is ISK 175,7 million.
www.opera.is
Grants to professional theatre companies are allocated by the Ministry of
Culture based on recommendations by the Dramatic Arts Council.
Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 51,1 million, in addition
to the contribution made to the Hafnarfjörður Theatre Company Hermóður
og Háðvör, as stated above.
Funding provided in the national budget to amateur theatre groups is
disbursed by the Ministry of Culture based on recommendations by the
Icelandic Amateur Theatre Associaton. Allocations from the 2009 national
budget were ISK 25,9 million.

Visual arts
The National Gallery of Iceland
The National Gallery of Iceland operates in accordance with Act No.
58/1988 with later amendments, and Regulation No. 231/1995 with later
amendments. The National Gallery of Iceland shall be the main art museum
in the country, as well as a centre of research, the collection of source
documents and promotion of Icelandic visual arts. The primary roles of theGallery are: 1. To acquire as complete as possible a collection of Icelandic
art, as well as recognised foreign artworks; to catalogue the collection; and topreserve and exhibit the collection, both domestically and abroad. 2.
Conduct research into Icelandic visual art from the end of the 19 th century
until today, run an educational programme; promote the works in the12gallery‟s collection as well as the gallery‟s activities; and provide foreign
galleries and other public institutions with professional advice andinformation about Icelandic visual arts, insofar as possible.
The Minister of Culture appoints a five-member Museum Council. The
museum director holds a seat on the council by virtue of his position, andthe Minister of Culture appoints four other members to the council for threeyear terms: two according to nominations from the representative council of
the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, one from among the full-time
staff members of the gallery, and a chairman who is appointed without
nomination. Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 132,4
million. www.listasafn.isThe Ásgrímur Jónsson Collection is operated as a special department
within the National Gallery of Iceland. www.listasafn.is
The Einar Jónsson Museum
The Einar Jónsson Museum operates in accordance with the last will andtestament of sculptor Einar Jónsson and his wife Anna Jørgensen, dated 11
September 1954. The testament stipulates that the role of the museum is topreserve, exhibit and study the work of Einar Jónsson, to catalogue his
artwork, and to keep records of documents concerning his career and otherfactors relating to his life and work. Allocations from the 2009 budget were
ISK 17,9 million. www.skulptur.is
The Public Buildings Art Fund
The Public Buildings Art Fund is subject to Act No. 46/1998. Its objective isto decorate public buildings and their surroundings with artwork and inthat way to promote artistic creativity in Iceland. One per cent of the total
construction cost of any public building is to be used for its decoration andthat of its surroundings. Allocations are also made under the national
budget each year for the artistic decoration of older buildings. The board of
the Public Buildings Art Fund shall be appointed by the Minister of Culture
as follows: Two members are appointed on the basis of a nomination by the
Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, one on the basis of a nomination by
the Association of Icelandic Architects, one on the basis of a nomination by ajoint committee on public works, and a chairman appointed without
nomination. Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 7,1 million.
www.listskreytingasjodur.is
The Visual Artists’ Copyrights Fund
Under the Act No. 60/2000, the Icelandic Visual Artists‟ Copyrights Fund –Myndstef oversees the collection and administration of “continuing sales
levies” as of 1 January 2001, in accordance with Regulation No. 486/2001 on
continuing sales levies. These shall be paid from the price of visual works ofart when sold at art auctions and re-sold commercially. The levy is paid tothe artist concerned, or his/her heirs. Should the copyright have lapsed or if
it is owned by the Icelandic state, the continuing sales levy is paid to the
Visual Artists‟ Copyrights Fund – Myndstef. www.myndstef.is

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The Center for Icelandic Art
The Center for Icelandic Art is a non-profit institution. Its purpose is topromote Icelandic art abroad and facilitate the participation of Icelandic
artists in international collaboration. Members of the Center for Icelandic Art
are the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, the Visual Artists‟ Copyrights
Fund – Myndstef, the National Gallery of Iceland, the Reykjavík Art
Museum, the Akureyri Art Museum, the Living Art Museum, theHafnarfjörður Institute of Culture and Fine Art, the Kópavogur Art
Museum, the Art Gallery of the Icelandic Federation of Labour and theTrade Council of Iceland. The Ministry of Culture allocates funding to theCenter for Icelandic Art for its activities, as well as to allow it to disburse
grants for the participation of Icelandic artists in collaborations abroad.
Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 18 million. www.cia.is

Music
The Music Council and Music Fund
The Music Council and the Music Fund operate under Act No. 76/2004. The
Minister of Culture appoints three members to the Music Council. Samtónn– the joint copyright organisation for composers, performers and producers
nominates one member, and two are appointed without nomination. The
role of the Music Council is to provide recommendations to the Minister ofCulture regarding allocations of grants from the Music Fund and to advise
the Minister on matters pertaining to music. The Music Fund disburses
grants to various musical projects, in addition to awarding fixed stipends toorchestras and other parties under various agreements. Allocations to theMusic Fund from the 2009 national budget were ISK 54 million.
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1950 and now operates
under Act No. 36/1982. The Act stipulates that the orchestra should aim toenrich Icelandic musical culture, stimulate interest and knowledge ofclassical music and provide the residents of Iceland with the opportunity toenjoy such music by giving concerts in as many locations in Iceland as
possible, and through radio broadcasts. Special emphasis should be on
performing and promoting Icelandic music. The orchestra should strive tomaintain the closest cooperation possible with those working towards
related objectives. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra has been funded by thestate treasury, which payed 56% of its operating costs, the Icelandic National
Broadcasting Service (25%), the City of Reykjavík (18%) and theMunicipality of Seltjarnarnes (1%). In 2007 the law has been changed so thestate pays also the part of the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service andthe part of the Municipality of Seltjarnarnes, altogether 82%. The orchestra‟s
five-member board is appointed for four-year terms; one is nominated by
the City of Reykjavík, one by the orchestra‟s employees‟ union, one by the
Ministry of Finance and one by the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
The Ministry of Culture appoints a chairman without nomination. The
orchestra board hires a managing director for a period of four years at a14

time. Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 534,8 million.
www.sinfonia.is
Other musical projects
The North Iceland Symphony Orchestra is allocated an operational grantaccording to an agreement with the Municipality of Akureyri, concerning
funding to support cultural activities in the town. The agreement stipulates
that the local authorities in Akureyri shall also contribute funding for theactivities of the orchestra.
The Icelandic Music Information Centre which is operated by Icelandic
composer ,eceives a contribution for its activities from the state treasury,
amounting to ISK 12,6 million in 2009. Its main purpose is to preserve andcatalogue Icelandic contemporary music, and to promote it both
domestically and abroad. The Icelandic Music Information Centre also
disseminates information about Icelandic music, composers and musicalactivities.
Music for All is a joint project between the state and local authorities, thegoal of which is to introduce Icelandic compulsory school pupils to various
forms of music. Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 7,9
million.
In addition to the above, Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, provides under thenational budget grants for various musical performances and projects.

Film
The Icelandic Film Fund and the Icelandic Film Centre
The Icelandic Film Centre operates according to the Cinema Act No.
137/2001. Its main purpose is to support the production and distribution of
Icelandic films, facilitate the promotion, marketing and sales of Icelandic
films in Iceland and abroad, collect and publish information about Icelandic
films, work to advance cinematic culture in Iceland, and facilitate increased
communication between Icelandic and foreign parties in the cinematic field.
The role of the Icelandic Film Centre is specified in more detail in Article IIof Act No. 137/2001 and Regulation No. 229/2003 on the Icelandic FilmFund, as well as later amendments to Regulation No. 1066/2004. The
Minister of Culture appoints a seven-member Film Council for three-year
terms; a chairman and deputy chairman are appointed without nomination,and the other five according to nominations by the following: The Icelandic
Film Makers‟ Association, the Icelandic Producers‟ Association, theAssociation of Icelandic Film Directors, the Association of Cinema Owners
and the Federation of Icelandic Artists. The Council advices the government
in film matters and makes proposals to the Minister of Culture in policy
matters within the film sector. The Minister of Culture appoints the directorof the Icelandic Film Centre for five-year terms, based on a recommendationby the Film Council. Allocations to the Icelandic Film Fund from the 2009
national budget were ISK 667,7 million, and to the Icelandic Film Centre ISK
77,7 million. www.iff.is15

National Film Archive of Iceland
The National Film Archive of Iceland operates according to the Cinema Act
No. 137/2001, the Act on Compulsory Returns to Libraries and Museums
No. 20/2002, and Regulation on Compulsory Returns to Libraries andMuseums No. 982/2003. The role of the archive is to collect, catalogue andpreserve Icelandic films, films made through collaborations between
Icelandic and foreign parties, and foreign films that were filmed in Iceland.
Incorporated in this is the preservation of materials that must be turned inunder the Act on Compulsory Returns to Libraries and Museums.
Furthermore, the National Film Archive should monitor compulsory
deliveries of filmed materials under the Act on Compulsory Returns to
Libraries and Museums, screen Icelandic and foreign films, maintain andrestore films kept by the archives, facilitate cinematic studies by academics
and professionals, and promote cinematic culture in Iceland. The Minister ofCulture appoints a director of the National Film Archive of Iceland for fiveyear terms. Allocations from 2009 national budget were 52,5 million.
www.kvikmyndasafn.is

The Ministry of Culture’s support for museums
and matters concerning the national cultural
heritage
The Ministry of Culture administrates matters concerning museums and thenational cultural heritage. Support by the state is intended to facilitate thepreservation of relics pertaining to the national heritage, and to ensure that
the Icelandic cultural heritage is passed on to future generations intact. It isalso meant to simplify access to and awareness of the nation‟s cultural
heritage, and assist in related research. The state‟s support in this field isoutlined below.
Operation of cultural institutions
By operating institutions in the field of cultural heritage, the state seeks tosupport autonomous research into Iceland‟s cultural heritage and provide
the general public with an opportunity to become acquainted with thatheritage. Such institutions also hold an administrative role in specificmatters, such as the issuing of research licences, declaring cultural remains
as protected, etc.
Financial support for other institutions in the field of cultural heritage
As well as being actively involved in the operation of cultural institutions,the state allocates funding to local authorities and other parties who operatesuch institutions, provided they come under the acts on museums andcultural heritage.
Operation of funds which support projects, et al.
To ensure professionalism in the field of cultural heritage, the state provides
project grants of various types, such as for archaeological research, building
preservation, exhibitions, and more.

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Issuing of research licences and monitoring of research
As stated above, the objective of the state is to ensure that the Icelandic
national cultural heritage is passed on to subsequent generations intact. Oneof the means to that end is to monitor research into archaeological remains
and cultural heritage relics.

Museums and the national cultural heritage
The Museum Council – the Museum Fund
The Museum Council operates on the basis of the Museum Act No.
106/2001. The role of the council, which is also a consultation forum forgalleries and museums, is to supervise museums owned by the state as wellas those that receive state funding. The Museum Council makes allocations
from the Museum Fund. Its role is to financially support the activities ofmuseums that come under the Museum Act, other than state-owned
museums. The Minister of Culture appoints the Museum Council for fouryear terms. The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland nominates one
council member as well as a deputy. In addition, the directors of thecountry‟s central museums hold seats on the council: The National Galleryof Iceland, the Icelandic Museum of Natural History and Science. Each of
those shall appoint a deputy. Allocations to the Museum Fund in 2009amounted to ISK 105,9 million. www.safnarad.is
The National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland operates according to Acts No. 107/2001,
No. 106/2001 and Regulation No. 334/1998. The National Museum of
Iceland is the country‟s central museum in the preserve of the national
heritage. Its role is to collect, catalogue, preservation and research into relics
concerning the nation‟s cultural history, as well as their presentation in
Iceland and abroad. The National Museum acts as an advisor to regional
museums and other heritage museums, facilitates cooperation between
museums, and works to maintain a coordinated policy in the field ofarchaeological preservation. The Minister of Culture appoints the director of
the National Museum, the State Antiquarian, for five-year terms. Allocations
to the National Museum under the 2009 national budget were ISK 463.6
million. www.natmus.is

The Archaeological Heritage Agency of Iceland
The Archaeological Heritage Agency of Iceland operates in accordance with
Act No. 107/2001, provisions in the Objects of Cultural Value Act No.
105/2001, provisions in the Building Preservation Act No. 104/2001,
provisions in the Planning and Building Act No. 73/1997 with later
amendments, and provisions in the Environmental Impact Assessment Act
No. 106/2000.
The Archaeological Heritage Agency is an administrative body and its role isto ensure insofar as possible the preservation of cultural heritage relics intheir environment, to simplify access to and awareness of such relics for thegeneral public, and to facilitate research. The agency issues permits for and17monitors all local and short-term archaeological research. It also determines
which archaeological remains, grave markers and church objects should be
declared as protected, and makes decisions regarding the lifting of suchprovisions. The Minister of Culture appoints the director of theArchaeological Heritage Agency for five-year terms. Allocations from the2009 national budget were ISK 91,9 million. www.fornleifavernd.is
The Archaeological Committee is appointed for four-year terms by the
Minister of Culture. The archaeologists‟ societies nominate two members,
and three members are appointed without nomination. The Archaeological
Committee deals with matters referred to it under paragraph 1, Article 7 of
the National Monuments Act No. 107/2001.
The Archaeology FundThe administration of the fund is in the hands of a three-member committee
appointed by the Minister of Culture. One member shall be appointed on thebasis of a nomination by the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland, andtwo without nomination. The committee disburses grants from the fund for
projects concerning research and preservation. The fund derives its income
from the state treasury under the national budget, and through othercontributions. Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 22,5
million.

The National Architectural Heritage Board
The National Architectural Heritage Board operates under the Building
Protection Act No. 104/2001. It makes recommendations to the Minister ofCulture concerning the preservation of the nation‟s cultural heritage andassesses which buildings should be declared protected at any given time.
The board also administers the National Architectural Heritage Fund andmakes decisions regarding allocations from it. The Minister of Culture
appoints a five-member board for terms of four years; one member isnominated by the Association of Icelandic Architects, one by the Associationof Local Authorities in Iceland, and three are appointed without nomination.
The chairman of the board is appointed by the Minister of Culture for fiveyear terms. Allocations for board activities from the 2009 national budget
were ISK 74,4 million. www.hfrn.is
The National Architectural Heritage FundThe role of the National Architectural Heritage Fund is to provide grants forthe maintenance, preservation and restoration of protected buildings andother structures. Grants may also be allocated to other buildings that the
National Architectural Heritage Board has judged to have cultural, historicalor artistic value. The Fund also supports research into the history of buildingin Iceland and publications on that subject. The Fund derives its income
from the state treasury under each year‟s national budget, as well as fromthe Local Authorities‟ Equalisation Fund and through independent
contributions. Disbursements from the Fund are divided into categories,
with grants provided for protected buildings, protected churches, buildings
in museum areas, research projects, investigations of buildings, and other18

projects, including the restoration of buildings owned by private individuals
or local authorities, that are not protected but are regarded as important by
the National Architectural Heritage Board. The National Architectural
Heritage Fund is administered by the National Architectural Heritage
Board. Allocations to the Fund from the 2009 national budget were ISK 148,5
million.
The Place-Name Committee
The Place-Name Committee oversees the naming of farms, in accordancewith paragraphs 5, 7 and 8 of Act No. 35/1953. The committee also provides
rulings in cases where disputes or disagreements arise on which place
names shall be included on maps. The committee also provides rulings in
disputes over new street names and other such place names in municipal
areas. Party to the committee are the National Land Survey of Iceland, othermap publishers, the Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies,landowners, local authorities, and the ministry concerned, but other
involvement is subject to administrative law. The committee is authorised toseek the opinion of specialists prior to making decisions. Rulings by thecommittee may be referred to the minister as per provisions in
administrative law. The Minister of Culture appoints the Place-Name
Committee for four-year terms. One member shall be nominated by the ÁrniMagnússon Institute in Icelandic Studies, one by the Ministry for theEnvironment, and the third, who is also chairman of the committee, shall be
appointed by the Minister of Culture without nomination. www.ornefni.is
The National Archives of Iceland
Under the National Archives Act No. 66/1985, with later amendments, therole of the National Archives of Iceland is to collect and preserve documents
and other recorded sources concerning Icelandic history for use by thegovernment, institutions and individuals to protect their interests and rights,
and for use in scientific and academic studies. The Act stipulates which
agencies are obliged to deliver documents to the National Archives forpreservation. The National Archives supervises the operations of regionalarchives as per Regulation No. 283/1994, that by law are to receive annual
grants under the national budget. Funding of this type comes under thebudget item for the National Archive, which is in charge of grant allocations.
The Ministry of Culture appoints a board for the National Archives for aperiod of four years. The National Archivist holds a seat on the board by
virtue of his position. In addition, one member shall be nominated by theInstitute of History, University of Iceland, one by the permanent staff of the
National Archives, and one is appointed without nomination. The Ministerof Culture appoints a chairman from amongst the board members. The
Minister appoints a National Archivist for five-year terms based on arecommendation by the National Archives‟ board. Allocations from the 2009
national budget were ISK 298,8 million. www.archives.is
The Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies
The Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies began formal operations
on 1 September 2006. The institute operates under Act No. 40/2006. The roleof the institute is to conduct research in Icelandic and related academic

19

studies, in particular concerning the Icelandic language and Icelandic
literature, to transmit knowledge in those areas, and to protect and develop
the collections that it possesses or those placed in its care. The institute fulfils
its role primarily by:a) Obtaining and preserving primary documents in its academic field,
collecting ethnographic sources relating to the Icelandic lexicon, andmaking those available to academics and the general public;b) Studying manuscripts, ethnological collections and other records
concerning the Icelandic language, Icelandic literature and history;
engaging in research into terminology and onomastics and projects
in the field of language technology;c)Facilitating an increased awareness of the Icelandic language and its
development and preservation in spoken and written form, andproviding advice and instruction on an academic basis regarding
linguistic matters, concerning among other things technical terms
and neologisms;d) Boosting collaboration within the institute‟s academic fields both
domestically and abroad, augmenting awareness of Icelandic
studies among the general public and the international academic
community, and engaging in cooperation in the teaching of
Icelandic and Icelandic studies abroad;e) Publishing academic texts, texts based on manuscripts, ethnologicalmaterials, dictionaries and lexicons.
The Árni Magnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies replaces the Icelandic
Language Institute, the Icelandic Dictionary of the University of Iceland, theÁrni Magnússon Institute in Iceland, the Sigurður Nordal Institute, and thePlace-Name Institute of Iceland. It is a university institution with its own
board and financing. The Minister of Culture appoints a five-member board
for four-year terms. Three members are appointed according to nominationby the University Senate and two without nomination, with one of those two
acting as chairman. The Minister of Culture appoints a director for five-year
terms on the recommendation of the board. Allocations to the Institute fromthe 2009 national budget were ISK 279,3 million. www.arnastofnun.is
The Icelandic Language Council advises authorities in matters concerning
the Icelandic language and makes recommendations to the Minister ofCulture on language policy, as well as issuing an annual report on the statusof the Icelandic language. The Language Council can take the initiative incommenting on that what is done well and what might be improved in theuse of Icelandic in public forums. The Icelandic Language Council composes
Icelandic orthographic rules published by the Minister of Culture on which,among other things, the teaching of spelling in Icelandic schools is based. In
2009 the Parliament approved a Language Policy for Icelandic. The Ministerof Culture appoints the Icelandic Language Council for four-year terms. The
council is made up of 15 members. Each of the following nominates one
member to the council: the University Senate of the University of Iceland,
the University of Akureyri, Reykjavík University, the Iceland Academy of
the Arts, the Iceland University of Education, the Faculty of Humanities at
the University of Iceland, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, the20

National Theatre, the Association of Teachers of Icelandic, the Writers‟
Union of Iceland, the National Union of Icelandic Journalists, terminology
committees, and Hagþenkir - the Association of Icelandic Non-fiction
Writers. The Minister of Culture appoints two members without
nomination, one of whom shall act as chairman and the other as deputy
chairman. The office of the Icelandic Language Council is located at the ÁrniMagnússon Institute of Icelandic Studies. www.arnastofnun.is
The Icelandic Language FundThe Icelandic Language Fund operates according to a special set of
regulations, No. 297/1995. The primary purpose of the fund is to promoteand support all types of activities intended to strengthen the Icelandic
language and its preservation.
Icelandic Language Day
On 16 November 1995 the Icelandic government agreed, on the basis of a
proposal by the Minister of Culture, that 16 November each year, thebirthday of 19th-century Icelandic poet Jónas Hallgrímsson, should be
declared Icelandic Language Day. On that day, the Ministry of Culture
engages in a special effort dedicated to the cultivation of the Icelandic
language. Cooperation between agencies and individuals in various social
sectors is emphasised in preparation for the day.
www.menntamalaraduneyti.is/malaflokkar/Menning/dit/
Other projects in the cultural heritage field
The Ministry of Culture provides support for the work of various
institutions and associations that facilitate the preservation and transmissionof the nation‟s cultural heritage. In the national budget there is a list ofparties receiving grants under agreements with the Ministry. They arehighly diverse and include, among others, Snorrastofa in Reykholt,www.snorrastofa.isandGunnarsstofnun
atSkriðuklaustur,www.skriduklaustur.is/

Cultural agreements with local authorities
The purpose of cultural agreements with local authorities is to stimulate
cultural activities and to channel the support of the state and local
authorities in one direction. The influence of local authorities on theprioritisation of such activities is also increased. In addition to thecontribution from the state to the agreements, the local authorities contributeto joint projects either from their own budget or from private enterprises.
Allocations from the 2009 national budget were ISK 279 million to thefollowing eight cultural agreements. In 2008 the contribution of the local
authorities should be at least 17,5% of the total amount allocated to projects
and 25% in 2009. In 2008 local authorities should pay at minimum one thirdof the cost concerning Cultural Councils and half of the cost in 2009.

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Cultural agreement with the Municipality of Akureyri
The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen Akureyri‟s position as acentre of cultural activity outside the capital area, in accordance with thegovernment‟s policy in regional matters. The support of the state and local
authorities for major cultural projects is channelled into a single direction soas to merge initiative and responsibility when it comes to specific projects.
The agreement covers contributions by the state treasury to specific culturalprojects in Akureyri, in particular the Akureyri City Theatre, the Akureyri
Art Museum and the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Contributions by
the Municipality of Akureyri as per the agreement are, in total, not lower
than the contribution by the state at any given time. The agreement iseffective until the end of 2009. Allocations from the 2009 national budget
were ISK 120 million.
Cultural agreement with East Iceland
A cultural agreement with East Iceland, effective until the end of 2007, wassigned in 2005.
The East Iceland Cultural Council is a collaboration forum between themunicipalities in the area. Its role, among others, is to initiate and promote
developments in cultural matters, allocate funding for cultural projects inEast Iceland, and to carry out the stipulations of the agreement. The Ministryof Communications and the Ministry of Culture are party to the agreement
on behalf of the Icelandic government, working together in an effort topromote cultural tourism. The local authorities contribute funding for joint
projects by working to increase the disposable income of the East Iceland
Cultural Council, either through private donations or its own contributions.
The agreement also stipulates that the municipalities submit contributions
matching that of the state to the cultural centres in East Iceland. Allocations
from the 2009 national budget were ISK 38 million.
Cultural agreement with West Iceland
An agreement was signed in 2005 between the Ministry of Culture and theMinistry of Communications on the one hand, and 17 municipalities in West
Iceland on the other, for cooperation in the fields of culture and cultural
tourism. The agreement is effective until the end of 2008. The West Iceland
Cultural Council is a collaborative forum between the different
municipalities, the role of which is to initiate and promote active
development in cultural affairs, allocate funding for cultural projects andprojects in the field of cultural tourism in West Iceland, and to carry out the
stipulations of the agreement. The municipalities also allocate funding forjoint projects, either through private donations or its own contributions.
Allocations by the state under the agreement in 2009 amount to ISK 17
million.

Cultural agreement with North-East Iceland
An agreement was signed in May 2007 between the Ministry of Culture andthe Ministry of Communications on the one hand, and 16 municipalities inNorth-East Iceland on the other, for cooperation in the fields of culture and22cultural tourism. The agreement is effective until the end of 2009. The
purpose of the agreement is to stimulate cultural activities in North-East
Iceland and to channel financial contributions from the state andmunicipalities into one fund. The North-East Iceland Cultural Council is acollaborative forum between the different municipalities, the role of which is
to initiate and promote active development in cultural affairs, allocate
funding for cultural projects and projects in the field of cultural tourism inNorth-East Iceland, and to carry out the stipulations of the agreement.
Allocations by the state under the agreement in 2009 amount to ISK 20
million.
Cultural agreement with North-West Iceland
An agreement was signed in May 2007 between the Ministry of Culture andthe Ministry of Communications on the one hand, and municipalities inNorth-West Iceland on the other, for cooperation in the fields of culture andcultural tourism. The agreement is effective until the end of 2009. The
purpose of the agreement is to stimulate cultural activities in North-West
Iceland and to channel financial contributions from the state andmunicipalities into one fund. The North-West Iceland Cultural Council is acollaborative forum between the different municipalities, the role of which is
to initiate and promote active development in cultural affairs, allocate
funding for cultural projects and projects in the field of cultural tourism inNorth-West Iceland, and to carry out the stipulations of the agreement.
Allocations by the state under the agreement in 2009 amount to ISK 22
million.
Cultural agreement with municipalities in Westfjords
An agreement was signed in May 2007 between the Ministry of Culture andthe Ministry of Communications on the one hand, and 10 municipalities in
Westfjords on the other, for cooperation in the fields of culture and cultural
tourism. The agreement is effective until the end of 2009. The purpose of theagreement is to stimulate cultural activities in Westfjord and to channel
financial contributions from the state and municipalities into one fund. The
Westfjord Cultural Council is a collaborative forum between the different
municipalities, the role of which is to initiate and promote active
development in cultural affairs, allocate funding for cultural projects andprojects in the field of cultural tourism in Westfjords, and to carry out the
stipulations of the agreement. Allocations by the state under the agreementin 2009 amount to ISK 22 million.
Cultural agreement with municipalities in Southern Iceland
An agreement was signed in May 2007 between the Ministry of Culture andthe Ministry of Communications on the one hand, and 14 municipalities inSouthern Iceland on the other, for cooperation in the fields of culture andcultural tourism. The agreement is effective until the end of 2009. The
purpose of the agreement is to stimulate cultural activities in Southern
Iceland and to channel financial contributions from the state andmunicipalities into one fund. The Southern Iceland Cultural Council is acollaborative forum between the different municipalities, the role of which is
to initiate and promote active development in cultural affairs, allocate
funding for cultural projects and projects in the field of cultural tourism inSouthern Iceland, and to carry out the stipulations of the agreement.

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Allocations by the state under the agreement in 2009 amount to ISK 25
million.
Cultural agreement with municipalities in Sudurnes
An agreement was signed in May 2007 between the Ministry of Culture andthe Ministry of Communications on the one hand, and 5 municipalities in
Sudurnes on the other, for cooperation in the fields of culture and cultural
tourism. The agreement is effective until the end of 2009. The purpose of theagreement is to stimulate cultural activities in Sudurnes and to channel
financial contributions from the state and municipalities into one fund. The
Sudurnes Cultural Council is a collaborative forum between the different
municipalities, the role of which is to initiate and promote active
development in cultural affairs, allocate funding for cultural projects andprojects in the field of cultural tourism in Sudurnes, and to carry out the
stipulations of the agreement. Allocations by the state under the agreementin 2009 amount to ISK 15 million.

Broadcasting
The Broadcasting Rights Committee
Under the Broadcasting Act No. 53/2000, the Broadcasting Licence Agency
issues broadcasting licences and monitors that the legal stipulations in suchlicences are complied with.

The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV)
After a law was passed in the Althingi in January 2007 the Icelandic
National Broadcasting Service (RUV) is a public limited company owned by
the Icelandic state. It receives its primary source of funding throughmandatory user licence fees and through revenues from radio and television
advertisements. As from January 1st 2009 the RUV‟s main source of income
will come from a special fee that directors of taxation impose at the sametime as taxes are assessed under the Income Tax Act. The law stipulates that
the National Broadcasting Service shall broadcast to the entire country andthe immediately adjecent fishing grounds one radio channel and one
television channel year-round. Among the responsibilities of the Icelandic
National Broadcasting Service is the promotion of the Icelandic language, as
well as the nation‟s history and its cultural heritage. The board of theCompany shall be elected at its annual general meeting, which shall be held
before the end of May each year. It shall consist of five persons, with thesame number of alternates. Before the board is elected at the annual general
meeting five persons and the same number of alternates shall be electedunder proportional representation by the Althingi, and they shall be electedto the board of the company. The responsibilities of the board of the RUV is
among other things to engage a director of RUV and release him/her from
employment, taking all major decisions of the operation of the company andapprove in advance the budget for each operational year. According to the
new Act the Minister of Education, Culture and Science and the RUV havemade a special public service contract covering objectives, scope anddetailed requirements regarding public service broadcasting. www.ruv.is24

Ministry of Culture’s support for sports andyouth activities
The state‟s involvement in general sport and youth activities is only
institutionalised to a minor degree, except in the important role played by
the schools. Various types of facilities for sporting activities, such as for theleisure and extra-curricular activities of young people, are operated by the
local authorities or on their behalf. This is also a field in which nongovernmental organisations are very active.

SportsSports activities are administered under the Sports Act No. 64/1998, which
stipulates that the Ministry of Culture is responsible for sports activities tothe extent that the state becomes involved. To that end the Ministry collects
information on the practice of sports in Iceland and the facilities available for
sports activities, and supports research in the field.
The Sports Committee - The Sports FundThe role of the Sports Committee is to advise the Ministry of Culture on
matters concerning sports activities. The committee makes
recommendations to the Ministry regarding funding for sports under thenational budget, and disburses grants from the Sports Fund. The allocations
to the fund under the national budget shall be used to support special
projects by private individuals, sports clubs and their federations, aimed at
improving facilities for sports activities, outreach and educational projects,
and research and projects in accordance with Article 13 of the Sports Act.
Under the Act, local authorities are expected to allocate building grants tosports clubs and associations, in line with their budgets. The Act also
stipulates that the building of sports venues for use by schools and thegeneral public is the responsibility of local authorities. The Minister ofCulture appoints the Sports Committee, which has five members. The
chairman is appointed without nomination, whereas the following
associations each nominate one member: The National Olympic and Sports
Association of Iceland, the Icelandic Youth Association, the Association of
Local Authorities in Iceland and the Sports Teachers‟ Department of the
Icelandic University of Education. Deputies are appointed in the samemanner. The committee is appointed for four-year terms. Allocations to theSports Fund from the 2009 national budget were ISK 17,9 million.
www.menntamalaraduneyti.is/afgreidsla/sjodir-og-eydublod/nr/1828
The National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland
The National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland, along with various
special sports associations, receive grants under the “Sports –miscellaneous” item on the national budget. Funding for the sports
movement through gaming and betting is based on the Foodball Pools Act
No. 59/1972 with later amendments, and the Lotteries Act No. 26/1986. In
2005, revenues by the sports movement from the football pool Íslenskar

25getraunir amounted to ISK 83,1 million, and from the lottery Íslensk getspá
ISK 227,6 million. Alþingi, the parliament, has extended permits authorising
the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland, the Icelandic Youth
Association and the Icelandic Federation of the Handicapped to operatebetting pools and lotto games until the year 2019. www.isisport.is

The Icelandic Winter Sports Centre in Akureyri
In 1995, a joint project was launched between the Ministry of Culture, theMunicipality of Akureyri, the Icelandic Sports Association and the AkureyriSports Federation, for the development of the Icelandic Winter Sports
Centre in Akureyri. A Regulation regarding the operations of the centre No.
362/1995, cf. Regulation No. 364/1995 was issued. In 2003, the Minister ofCulture and the Mayor of Akureyri signed agreements for the operations
and development of the Icelandic Winter Sports Centre in Akureyri for theyears 2003 – 2008. Total contributions from the state under the agreements
amount to ISK 196.6 million. www.vmi.is/
The Outstanding Athletes Fund
A common goal for the sports movement is for Iceland to have outstanding
athletes that are on par with the best in the world. Various conditions must
be in place for this to happen, one of which is for outstanding athletes to beprovided with an opportunity to train and cultivate their talents and skills.
To support this goal, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of
Culture and the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland, tojointly finance the operations of the Outstanding Athletes Fund, thereby
augmenting the resources at the Fund‟s disposal. This allows for grants to beallocated to the nation‟s top athletes to help support their efforts in theinternational arena. Under the current agreement, the state contributes ISK
140 million for the period 2004-2008.
The Chess Grandmasters’ Salary Fund
The Chess Grandmasters‟ Salary Fund was established in accordance withAct 58/1990. The first allocations from the Fund were made in 1991. The
purpose of the fund is to provide Icelandic Grandmasters in chess withfinancial security, thus allowing them to devote themselves to the art ofchess. Grandmasters receiving salaries from the fund are obliged to teachand instruct at the Icelandic Chess School, along with performing researchand competing in chess on Iceland‟s behalf. The fund has a three-member
committee, with the Minister of Culture nominating two members and the
Icelandic Chess Federation one member. One of the Ministry‟s nominees
also acts as chairman of the committee. Allocations under the 2009 national
budget were 18,1 million.
The Icelandic Chess School
The Icelandic Chess School has been operated by the Icelandic Chess
Federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture since 1991, under Act
No. 76/1990. The role of the school is to teach chess and to oversee all typesof education aimed at promoting the growth and advancement of chess in26

Iceland. The Icelandic Chess School conducts workshops throughout thecountry in cooperation with the chess movement and the nation‟s schools.
The school has a three-member board, appointed for three-year terms, with
the Minister of Culture appointing one and the Icelandic Chess Federation
two, in collaboration with the Association of Icelandic Grandmasters.
Allocations from the 2009 national budget were 8,5 million.
www.skakskolinn.is/

Youth and leisure activities
The Youth Act No. 70/2007 provides the main rules of public funding foryouth and leisure activities. Under the Act, recipients of such support are
non-governmental organisations working on youth activities, as well asagencies primarily serving the welfare of non-affiliated adolescents in an
organised manner.
The Youth FundThe Youth Fund operates according to Act No. 70/2007. The committee of
the Youth Fund is with three members nominated for two years. The
committee makes recommendations to the Minister of Culture concerning
allocations from the fund.
The main purpose of the fund is to support special projects run by youth
organisations or associations, created for children and adolescents and/orwith their active participation. These include the training of youth leaders
and instructors to take an active part in youth activities, such as throughworkshops; innovation and experimentation in community work forchildren and adolescents; and joint projects between youth organisations
and associations that are active in community work.
Under paragraph 1, allocations from the fund do not cover annual or regularcommunity activities, such as congresses, tournaments or similar, nor grouptravel. Applications are invited twice annually and the deadline forapplications is advertised each time. In 2009, allocations under the national
budget were ISK 8,8 million.
www.menntamalaraduneyti.is/afgreidsla/sjodir-og-eydublod/nr/2583
The Youth Council
The Minister of Culture appoints the Youth Council for two-year terms. The
council chairman and deputy chairman are appointed without nominations,five members are nominated by youth organisations and two members arenominated by the Association of Local Authorities in Iceland.
The role of the Youth Council is to act as an advisory body to thegovernment on youth matters, make policy proposals, comment on youth
issues, stimulate youth activities of different youth organisations, organise
meetings and conferences on youth matters, participate in international
cooperation, contribute to training of youth leaders, trainers and volunteers
and deal with other issues at the request of the Minister of Culture.

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Annual allocations for youth activities under the national budget go
primarily towards supporting the operations of various youth organisations,either in accordance with a specific budgetary item, or according to the
Ministry of Culture‟s decision. Allocations for youth activities from the 2009
national budget were ISK 226,9 million.
As well as providing general support for youth organisations and theiroperations, the work of the Ministry of Culture in this area is focused onstrengthening the basis of social and leisure activities and publication
activities.
Research into youth matters
Since 1992, the Ministry of Culture has supported regular research into
youth matters under the heading Young People. The research provides animportant tool for monitoring such factors as education, culture, leisureactivities, sports, emotional well-being, interests of children and adolescents,
and the future vision of Icelandic youths. In other words, research
conducted under the Young People project not only assists the government,
but also youth organisations, sporting associations and the vast numbers ofother parties that work with children and adolescents. Among other things,
the research has proven useful for local authorities and others working withchildren and young people in formulating policies in various areas. The
Council of Europe and the European Union both stress the importance ofconducting research into youth issues, as do a great number of nations.

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Budget allocations
Allocations to the Ministry of Culture under the 2009 national budget were
ISK 58,8 billion of the total national treasury expenditures of ISK 555,6
billion. Some ISK 10,5 billion was earmarked for cultural affairs, or about
17,9% of total allocations to the Ministry. This is based on an estimate of total
expenditures, but expenditures less own revenues amounted to ISK 10,3
billion, with own revenues totalling some ISK 622,9 million. User licence fees
for the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service notwithstanding, allocations
for cultural affairs amounted to just over ISK 7,6 billion, or some 12,9% of
total allocations to the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
Various allocations for cultural affairs
The national budget shows budgetary items allocated by the Ministry of
Culture, in part or in full, on the basis of applications for various arts
projects or other cultural activities. In particular, these are contributions toprojects that are not covered by funds operated by the Ministry. Listed
below are the budgetary items concerned, and allocations to them in 2007.
02-919 1.98 Museums, various contributions by the Ministry of Culture
Grants based on applications

ISK 23,400,000

02-983 1.10, Research and Scholarly activities
Grants based on applications

ISK 12,100,000

02-984 1.90 Nordic cooperation
Agreements and grant allocations based on applications

ISK 14,500,000

02-999 1.98 Various contributions by the Ministry of Culture
Agreements and grant allocations based on applications

ISK 23,400,000

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