Reykjavik Arts Festival will take place 30 May-14 June 2026.

Reykjavík Arts Festival, the Icelandic Regional Development Institute (Byggðastofnun), and Icelandair have opened applications for Eyrarrósin for the nineteenth time, an award given to an outstanding cultural project in rural areas. To be eligible for Eyrarósin the project must have been established and in operation for more than three years, and had an impact on the cultural life in its region.

In 2023, the cultural activities at the Alþýðuhús in Siglufjörður received the Eyrarrósin, and previous award winners include Handbendi in Hvammstangi, Bræðslan in Borgarfjörður Eystra, Skaftfell, the Freezer in Rif, Aldrei fór ég suður, Ferskir vindar in Garður, List í ljósi in Seyðisfjörður, and Skjaldborg in Patreksfjörður.

Winner of Eyrarrósin will receive a prize of 2.5 million ISK. A special video will be made about the project, and there will be an opportunity to organise an event as part of the main program of the Reykjavík Arts Festival in 2026.

The Encouragement prize for Eyrarrósin will now be awarded for the third time to three projects that are either recent or still under development but show professional ambition both in their operations and artistic vision. Each encouragement prize is 750,000 ISK.

The patron of Eyrarrósin is Mr. Björn Skúlason, the partner of the President of Iceland.

The deadline for applications for Eyrarrósin and the Encouragement Awards is 16:00 on Monday, March 24.  

Further information and an application form can be found here: www.listahatid.is/eyrarrosin


Fjóla Dögg Sverrisdóttir has now stepped down as the Executive Director of Reykjavík Arts Festival, a position she held with great success for 8 years. Fjóla had a close and successful collaboration with the festival's artistic directors as well as other staff. During Fjóla's tenure, the festival has undergone major changes and she took an active part in implementing the festival's policies, most recently with special emphasis on accessibility and inclusion and environmental issues. The board and artistic director of Reykjavík Arts Festival thank Fjóla for her excellent and fruitful collaboration and selfless contribution to the festival. We wish Fjóla all the best in her new role.

Fjóla Dögg concludes her role as executive director

Tinna Grétarsdóttir has been appointed the Executive Director of Reykjavík Arts Festival for the next four years.

Tinna completed a Master's degree in Project Management from the Reykjavik University in 2023 and a BA degree in Contemporary Dance from the Oslo National Academy of the Arts in 1998. She has held the position of Executive Director of Dansverkstæðið since 2012 and was a project manager at the most recent Reykjavík Arts Festival, where she amongst other was responsible for organising the work of volunteers. From 2012 to 2022, Tinna was an Artistic Director of the performance group Bíbí & Blaka and is a regular lecturer at the Iceland University of the Arts since 2016. In 2023-2024, Tinna participated in the making of a performing arts policy organised by the Ministry of Culture.

“The Reykjavík Arts Festival is a unique event that has brought us incredible experiences, both big and small, for over 50 years. Being able to participate in the organisation and preparation of the festival is a privilege, and I am extremely grateful to Lára Sóley and the board of the festival for the opportunity,” says Tinna.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Tinna. Her experience in management, planning, grant applications, and staff management will be invaluable in the role of Executive Director. She has important insight into the country’s cultural life and strong connections with both Icelandic and international artists. There are exciting times ahead, where the festival’s strategy will be reviewed and the program for the next festival, taking place from May to June 14, will be completed. I know that together, we will work hard to have a successful collaboration with outstanding artists and offer the public unique opportunities to enjoy outstanding art events,” says Lára Sóley Jóhannsdóttir, Artistic Director.

Tinna is taking over the position from Fjóla Dögg Sverrisdóttir, who has worked as Executive Director since 2017 with outstanding success. The Artistic Director and Board of the Reykjavík Arts Festival thank Fjóla for all of her excellent work in support of the festival.

The application deadline for the position of Executive Director of the Reykjavík Arts Festival was December 12th, and a total of 27 individuals applied for the position.

Open call for applications

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Open call for applications

Fjóla Dögg concludes her role as executive director

Tinna appointed new Executive Director