Reykjavik Arts Festival will take place 1-16 June 2024.

Margrét M. Norðdahl, who had served on the Reykjavík Arts Festival Board on behalf of the mayor since 2014, stepped down, and her dedicated contributions to the festival were acknowledged with warm applause. The mayor's new representative on the board is Katrín Jakobsdóttir, who will chair the board for the next two years, while the outgoing chairman, Sigtryggur Magnason, assumes the role of vice-chairman and continues as the minister's representative. Tryggvi M. Baldvinsson remains on the board representing the Council of Representatives.

As usual, the meeting featured several presentations that provided an overview of the past year’s activities at Reykjavík Arts Festival.

Chairman of the board, Sigtryggur Magnason presented the board's yearly report.

Outgoing Artistic Director Vigdís Jakobsdóttir delivered a report on the recently concluded 2024 festival, which was also her final one. This year’s festival was exceptionally well attended, involving around 900 artists. Vigdís took the opportunity to thank the Council of Representatives  for invaluable collaboration over the years, having started with the festival in 2016 and been reappointed in 2020.

The Executive Director, Fjóla Dögg Sverrisdóttir presented the 2023 financial statements, a summary of the festival's accounts, and the budget for 2024–2025. The festival’s financial standing is strong, and this year’s results were in line with projections.

Newly appointed Artistic Director Lára Sóley Jóhannsdóttir shared her vision for the festival’s future, saying, among other things:

“It is a great honour for me to have the opportunity to contribute to Reykjavík Arts Festival and to build upon the tireless, selfless, and outstanding work that has characterized the festival. Above all, I envision a festival where we all feel we belong to an open, inclusive, and progressive community, where the arts deepen and broaden our humanity.”

The mayor presented flowers to both Margrét M. Norðdahl and Vigdís Jakobsdóttir as a gesture of gratitude for their outstanding contributions to the festival and the city’s cultural life. The meeting attendees echoed his sentiments with enthusiastic applause.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir new Chairman of the Board

Vigdís Jakobsdóttir concluded her role as the artistic director of the Reykjavík Arts Festival on 30 September, after eight successful years in the position.

Vigdís' guiding principle in her work was that art and culture should not be the privilege of the few but the right of all. These were certainly not empty words, as she let her actions speak for themselves. During her tenure, she led an important strategic direction for the festival, focusing on accessibility and environmental issues, inspiring her colleagues to work towards this vision. She constantly sought new ways to bring high-quality cultural events to as many people as possible and emphasized that the artists and events at the festival should reflect the diversity and beauty of society in all its forms.

Vigdís demonstrated ambition, courage, and creativity in her role. These qualities shone brightly during the 2020-2021 pandemic when the program for the 2020 Festival was extended over a year, and events were carried out as public health restrictions allowed. It drew significant attention when the festival announced that it would not be canceled, unlike many festivals and events at that time. Towards the end of 2020, ArtGifts were delivered to the public across the country, an initiative that brought joy to both the people and the artists, who had hardly been able to perform for months.

The board and executive director of Reykjavík Arts Festival thank Vigdís for her generous and successful collaboration and for showing ambition, courage, and warmth in her work. We wish her all the best in whatever she takes on next and express our gratitude for the valuable legacy she leaves behind at the festival.

Photograph of Vigdís Jakobsdóttir was taken by Golli for Heimildin.

Vigdís concludes her role as Artistic Director

Reykjavík Arts Festival has moved from Gimli, Laekjargata 3 to Austurstraeti 5, 4th floor. 

The festival is now in excellent company as the same floor also houses the Icelandic Literature Center, Performing Arts Center Iceland, The Museum Council of Iceland and List fyrir alla. Iceland Music can also be found on the 2nd floor of the same building. 

The Reykjavík Arts Festival has been located in Bernhöftstorfa since its inception, starting operations in a single room in Gimli in 1969. From 1995 to 2010, the festival operated in the rear building that now houses Kornhladan, before moving back to Gimli.

Currently, access is only from Austurstræti, but the elevator there is old and not accessible to all. Improvements are underway to provide access from Hafnarstræti, and full accessibility to the festival’s office is expected within a few weeks.

The festival’s new postal address is Austurstræti 5, 101 Reykjavík.

Reykjavík Arts Festival has a new office

On the Reykjavík Arts Festival podcast we dig a little deeper into our programme with the help of artists and other contributing partners. An excellent way to stoke your excitement about the feast that awaits us June 1 to 16 and get some fascinating insights into exhibitions, concerts, performances and all sorts of festival events.

We already have eleven episodes up on Spotify, with more on the way. Most episodes are in Icelandic but for English speakers we recommend checking out the episodes featuring Eva Ollikainen, Ruth Hege Halstensen and Hooman Sharifi.

Scroll down to pick out something interesting to listen to as you walk, run or maybe just do the dishes!

Get the inside scoop with our podcast!

More news

Katrín Jakobsdóttir new Chairman of the Board

Vigdís concludes her role as Artistic Director

Reykjavík Arts Festival has a new office