Funds

According to the Fund’s charter, No. 9321, its purpose is “to support and encourage young and promising visual artists in their studies.” The Fund was established with a bequest from the estate of the painter Guðmunda Andrésdóttir, who died in 2002. Funds available for grants consist of the real interest earned on the Fund’s principal. The Board determines the number of grants awarded in each funding round.

The Fund supports visual artists pursuing further education. Applicants are preferably expected to have completed a BA degree in fine art or equivalent studies. Grants may be awarded for longer or shorter periods of study abroad, but for no less than six months.

Applications must include a detailed description of the proposed course of study, a letter of recommendation, and information on the applicant’s previous education and professional experience.

Most recent grants awarded: 2025
Next grants awarded: 2027

Board of the Fund: Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir, Hlynur Hallsson and Jón B. K. Ransu.

CHARTER OF THE GUÐMUNDA ANDRÉSDÓTTIR GRANT FUND

Article 1
The Fund shall be known as the Guðmunda Andrésdóttir Fund. Its registered office and legal venue shall be in Reykjavík.

Article 2

The initial capital of the Fund consists of a bequest made under the will of Guðmunda Andrésdóttir, ID No. 031122-2449. The principal of the Fund may not be reduced. Any donations received by the Fund shall be added to the principal and invested in the same manner (cf. Article 3).

Article 3

The Fund shall be invested in government-guaranteed bonds, Treasury bills, bank bonds, or deposits with banks or savings banks. The income of the Fund consists of the real interest earned on its initial capital and other contributions made to it.

Article 4

The purpose of the Fund is to support and encourage young and promising visual artists in their studies.

Article 5

The Board of the Fund shall consist of the Director of the National Gallery of Iceland together with the Gallery’s Advisory Council. The Director of the National Gallery of Iceland shall chair the Board. The Board shall otherwise determine the division of responsibilities among its members.

Article 6

The Board shall award grants from the Fund every other year in April, for the first time one year after the death of the testator. The Board shall determine the procedure for each grant allocation. The Fund’s interest income shall be used for grants. The inflation-indexed principal of the Fund may not be reduced.

Article 7

The Fund’s financial year shall be the calendar year, and its accounts shall be audited by an appointed auditor.

Article 8

This Charter may be amended if deemed necessary or appropriate due to changed circumstances. No amendment shall take effect, however, unless unanimously approved by the Board of the Fund.

Article 9

The Fund may not be dissolved without the approval of the Board of the National Gallery of Iceland.

Article 10

Should the Fund be dissolved, its assets shall be used for the acquisition of works of art for the National Gallery of Iceland.

Article 11

This Charter, and any amendments that may be made to it, shall be submitted to the Minister of Justice for confirmation, pursuant to Act No. 19/1988 on Funds and Institutions Operating under Confirmed Charters.

This Charter, together with its accompanying document, is hereby confirmed pursuant to Act No. 19/1988 on Funds and Institutions Operating under Confirmed Charters.

Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, 15 December 2003.

On behalf of the Minister,

Drífa Pálsdóttir

Bryndís Helgadóttir

Grants Awarded from the Fund

2025
Á. Birna Björnsdóttir
Geirþrúður Finnbogadóttir
Sölvi Steinn Þórhallsson

2020
Bergur Nordal Gunnarsson
Kristín Helga Ríkharðsdóttir

2018
Valgerður Ýr Walderhaug
Berglind Erna Tryggvadóttir

2016
Una Björg Magnúsdóttir
Valgerður Sigurðardóttir

2014
Anna Hrund Másdóttir
Dagrún Aðalsteinsdóttir
Pétur Már Gunnarsson

2012/2013
Anna Rún Tryggvadóttir
Katrín Inga Jónsdóttir Hjördísardóttir
Páll Haukur Björnsson
Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir

2010
Jeanette Castioni
Logi Bjarnason
Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir
Guðmundur Thoroddsen

2008
Berglind Jóna Hlynsdóttir
Bjarki Bragason
Irene Bermudez
Hye Joung Park

2006
Ragnar Jónasson
Þórunn Maggý Kristjánsdóttir
2004
Elín Hansdóttir
Huginn Þór Arason

The purpose of the Svavar Guðnason and Ásta Eiríksdóttir Grant Fund is to support promising young visual artists.

The Board of the Fund consists of three members. The Director of the National Gallery of Iceland appoints three Board members and two alternate members, with at least one Board member drawn from the Gallery’s staff. Members are appointed for a term of four years.

Every other year, in September, the Board invites applications for grants from the Fund. Grants are awarded every other year.

Board: Björn Karlsson, Chair; Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir; and Matthías Matthíasson
Alternate Board members: Björn Steinar Pálmason and Guðmundur Andri Thorsson

Most recent grants awarded: November 2024
Next grants awarded: November 2026

Charter of the Svavar Guðnason and Ásta Eiríksdóttir Fund

Article 1

The Fund shall be known as the Svavar Guðnason and Ásta Eiríksdóttir Fund. Its registered office and legal venue shall be in Reykjavík.

Article 2

The initial capital of the Fund is ISK 6,000,000, together with Ásta Eiríksdóttir’s apartment at Háaleitisbraut 111, 4th floor, right, currently assessed for property and land tax purposes at ISK 7,349,000.

The property is subject to the condition that Ásta shall have the right to use the apartment free of charge, while bearing all costs associated with its operation as well as property taxes. Ásta may, in consultation with the Board of the Fund, sell the apartment if she needs to move to different accommodation for health reasons. The Fund shall acquire the new property, and if the proceeds from the sale exceed the purchase price of the new property, the difference shall accrue to the Fund.

Title to the property shall be transferred pursuant to a separate deed of gift once the Fund has received confirmation from the Minister of Justice.

Article 3

The Fund shall be invested in government-guaranteed bonds, Treasury bills, bank bonds, or deposits with banks or savings banks.

Article 4

The income of the Fund shall consist of:

a) Interest and returns on the Fund’s assets;
b) Contributions and donations received by the Fund;
c) Memorial donations made through the issuance of memorial cards;
d) Other income.

The expenses of the Fund shall consist of:

a) Grants;
b) Operating expenses;
c) Other expenses.

Article 5

The purpose of the Fund is to support promising young visual artists.

Article 6

The Board of the Fund shall consist of three members. During Ásta Eiríksdóttir’s lifetime, she shall appoint all three members and two alternate members. Following her death, the Advisory Council of the National Gallery of Iceland shall appoint three members, one of whom shall be a member of the Gallery’s staff. They shall be appointed for four-year terms.

Article 7

Every other year, in September, the Board of the Fund shall invite applications for grants from the Fund. Three individuals shall evaluate the applications and award the grant or grants. The Advisory Council of the National Gallery of Iceland shall nominate one member, who shall serve as Chair; the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts shall nominate a second member; and the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists shall nominate the third. The Board of the Fund shall ensure that the individuals appointed are suitably qualified.

Grants shall be awarded every other year in October, for the first time two years after the Fund receives official confirmation. Three-quarters of the Fund’s interest income shall be used for grants. The inflation-indexed principal of the Fund may not be reduced.

Article 8

The Fund’s financial year shall be the calendar year, and its accounts shall be audited by a certified public accountant.

Article 9

Articles 3 and 5 of this Charter may not be amended. Other provisions may be amended with the unanimous approval of all members of the Board.

Article 10

The Fund may be dissolved 50 years after its establishment. Its assets may then be used to acquire works of art for the National Gallery of Iceland, particularly works by Svavar Guðnason.

Article 11

This Charter shall be submitted to the Minister of Justice for confirmation pursuant to Act No. 19/1988 on Funds and Institutions Operating under Confirmed Charters.

Reykjavík, 2 September 1993

Ásta Kristín Eiríksdóttir
ID No. 280112-5699

Grants Awarded from the Fund

2024
Emma Heiðarsdóttur
Logi Leó Gunnarsson

2021
Melanie Ubaldo

2019
Steinunn Önnudóttir

2017
Fritz Hendrik Berndsen
Katrín Inga Jónsdóttir Hjördísardóttir

2015
Þór Sigurþórsson

2013
Jóhanna Kristbjörg Sigurðardóttir
Ragnar Þórisson

2012
Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir
Ingunn Fjóla Ingþórsdóttir

2009
Birgir Örn Thoroddsen (Curver)
Sara Riel

2005
Hildur Bjarnadóttir
Sigga Björg Sigurðardóttir

2003
Olga Bergmann

2001
*ekki veitt úr sjóðnum*

1999
Arngunnur Ýr Gylfadóttir
Guðný Rósa Ingimarsdóttir
Þóroddur Bjarnason

1997
Helgi Hjaltalín Eyjólfsson
Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir

1995
Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir

The Richard Serra Fund was established to mark the artist’s donation of the work Áfangar, which was installed on Viðey Island in connection with the Reykjavík Arts Festival in 1990. The recipients of the gift were the Reykjavík Arts Festival, the National Gallery of Iceland and the City of Reykjavík.

The purpose of the Richard Serra Fund is to promote sculpture in Iceland by awarding grants to young sculptors in recognition of their artistic work.

The Board awards grants from the Fund every other year, beginning in 1992. The Board determines the procedure for each grant allocation.

Board:

• Chair: Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir, Director of the National Gallery of Iceland
• Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir, nominated by the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists
• Eygló Harðardóttir, nominated by the Icelandic Sculptors’ Association

Most recent grants awarded: 2021

Charter of the Richard Serra Fund

Article 1

The Richard Serra Fund was established to mark the artist’s donation of the work Áfangar, which was installed on Viðey Island in connection with the Reykjavík Arts Festival in 1990. Reference is hereby made to the agreement concerning the donation, duly signed by the donor of the work and its recipients. The recipients of the gift were the Reykjavík Arts Festival, the National Gallery of Iceland and the City of Reykjavík.

Article 2

The purpose of the Richard Serra Fund is to promote sculpture in Iceland by awarding grants to young sculptors in recognition of their artistic work.

Article 3

The initial capital of the Fund, pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, is one hundred thousand German marks (DM 100,000). The principal of the Fund may not be reduced. Any donations subsequently received by the Fund shall be added to the principal and invested in the same manner (cf. Article 4).

Article 4

The Fund is an independent foundation. Its income consists of the real interest earned on its initial capital and other contributions made to the Fund.

Article 5

The Board of the Fund shall consist of three members: one appointed by the Icelandic Sculptors’ Association, one by the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists, and one by the National Gallery of Iceland. Each of these bodies shall also appoint an alternate member. The representative of the National Gallery of Iceland shall serve as Chair of the Board. The Board shall be appointed for a term of two years and shall otherwise determine the division of responsibilities among its members.

Article 6

The Board shall award grants from the Fund every other year, beginning in 1992. The Board shall determine the procedure for each grant allocation.

Article 7

Annual accounts shall be prepared for each calendar year. The annual accounts, audited by a certified public accountant, shall be completed and signed by the Board of the Fund by the end of January of the following calendar year.

Article 8

This Charter may be amended if deemed necessary or appropriate due to changed circumstances. No amendment shall take effect, however, unless unanimously approved by the Board of the Fund.

Article 9

The Fund may not be dissolved without the consent of Richard Serra and his heirs and the unanimous approval of the Board. If the Fund is dissolved, its assets shall pass to the Icelandic Sculptors’ Association.

Article 10

This Charter, as well as any amendments that may be made to it pursuant to Article 8, shall be submitted to the Minister of Justice for confirmation.

Reykjavík, 30 April 1992.

This Charter is hereby confirmed pursuant to Act No. 19/1988 on Funds and Institutions Operating under Confirmed Charters.

Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs, 16 July 1993.

On behalf of the Minister,
Jón Thors

Grants Awarded from the Fund

2021
Steinunn Gunnlaugsdóttir

2015
Ragnar Kjartansson

2013
Katrín Sigurðardóttir

2011
Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir

2005
Ólöf Nordal

2002
Margrét Blöndal

2000
Halldór Ásgeirsson

1997
Þorvaldur Þorsteinsson

1994
Sólveig Aðalsteinsdóttir

1992
Ólafur Sveinn Gíslason