Arts and Cultural Education in Iceland : Professor Anne Bamford

2008: 85 “ “
2009: 85 “ “
Comparable agreements were completed during the first half of 2007 with North East-, North West-, South- and
the South West-Iceland. Earlier, agreements had been signed with municipalities in East Iceland (2001, has been
renewed) and West Iceland (2005).
The Ministry’s Newsletter, February 12, publishes an article on grants issued by the Cultural Agreement of East
Iceland totaling 30 million ISK. Out of 140 applications received, 100 grants were issued. The largest amount given
was 1.000.000 ISK and the lowest one 100.000 ISK.
While this represents laudable intentions and a clear commitment from government to creative
developments, there is a lack of research on the impact of arts and creative industry policy and a
lack of clear, internationally benchmarked and comprehensive data. Other respondents pointed
to the value of creative professionals beyond the usual boundaries of the creative industries:
I think there should be a creative person on the Board of every company. People are afraid of the creative world;
creative people are so weird. The fear is also the other way around...
I want to create a creative revolution in Iceland...
The amateur arts scene is a key feature of the cultural milieu in Iceland, as this quote
suggests; “The amateur art scene is really expanding. It is very active and often the driving force
for the arts in small towns.” This is particularly the case in theatre, with many towns having well
established local theatre groups. As can be seen in the following quote, these theatres do not
only provide a pathway for young people interested in theatre, but also provide performances
including and for young people and children:
Amateur Theatre is about 100 years old, one or two productions a year, all generations. A theatre group in the
Junior College does one production a year – they are having a play written for them now by a professional writer.
There is a strong tradition of acting in the schools here, one production in the pre-primary school and also in the
compulsory school.
In 2007/08 there were 6.9 concerts per 1000 population in the capital, 3.6 per 1000 people
in the West, 4.1 in the east, 7.1 in the north and 4.4 in the south. While concentrated in the
capital and the north, there appears to be a relatively equitable spread of concert offers around
the country. 33 In a general sense, members of a creative industry focus group were asked to
comment on whether they felt that the quality of arts education in Iceland was better or worse
than 10 years ago. The following is a summary of their responses to that question:
It has staying the same (stagnant).
The curriculum is OK but we need to focus on monitoring of quality.
The situation is getting worse.
The quality of teaching in the arts is getting worse.
Theatre and dance are getting worse.
We are very afraid that as the economy tightens, schools will only do what they have to do and the cultural
life for children will die – they will not visit museums, theatres and galleries.
Things have got better in music.
The arts scene (especially at the alternative and grassroots) is flourishing.
I think the banks might have had too much of an influence on the art scene so it is actually good that they
have pulled out.
Passion and vitality is there and it is getting even better.
There is a lot going on and it is improving.
The crisis has actually been a good thing, especially for festivals.
We will start to use what is ours. What is our strength and that is a good focus to take us forward.
We have attracted a lot of support from abroad. A German baroness is going to donate to the arts and is
auctioning some of her art work to give to Icelandic art.
We hope that all the grass roots things will grow up in these difficult times.
33 http://www.statice.is/Statistics/Culture/Arts
102