The Iceland Academy of the Arts is a self-governing institution providing higher education in fine arts, performance arts, music, design, architecture, arts education and recently film.

Role and Objectives

The role of the Iceland Academy of the Arts is to encourage progressive thinking in the arts and to stimulate innovation and development in different fields. The Academy offers education in the arts at the university level and conveys both knowledge and professionalism in the arts to Icelandic society. It operates in a global environment and measures itself against academies that excel in arts education in neighbouring countries.

Three main values guide the focus and direction of the Academy in all of its work:

  • Curiosity
  • Understanding
  • Courage

Curiosity prompts us to ask questions and search for new approaches, solutions and answers. We dissect those answers and strive to understand what is foreign to us. Through understanding and training we develop the talents and skills we require. In that way we strengthen our courage to follow through on our convictions and our artistic vision.

COOPERATION

The Iceland Academy of the Arts places emphasis on enhancing cooperation with other higher education institutions in the country and various other institutions and enterprises. Its partners include: The University of Iceland, Reykjavík University, the Agricultural University of Iceland, Bifröst University, the Reykjavík Art Museum, the National Gallery of Iceland, the Living Art Museum, the Ísafjördur Music School, the Skaftfell Cultural Centre, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Icelandic Opera, the Salur Music Hall, Caput, the Reykjavík City Theatre, the National Theatre, the Akureyri Theatre, the Iceland Dance Company, the Reykjavík Arts Festival and the State Broadcasting Service.

The Iceland Academy of the Arts is an active participant in international cooperation. The Academy has made bilateral agreements with about 120 higher education institutions in Europe through the Erasmus programme. Within NordPlus, the Academy cooperates with about 90 art academies in the Nordics and the Baltics. Preparations are being made for cooperation with art academies in Asia, including China, Japan and Thailand. Students can therefore complete a part of their studies in foreign places. In general, the student exchange lasts one semester. A large number of foreign exchange students also studies at the Iceland Academy of the Arts, and numerous foreign guest teachers teach at the Academy for longer or shorter periods of time.