The Art World in Iceland — Schools, Galleries, Associations and Inspiration

Iceland — A Small Country with a Big Art Scene

Iceland is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, but this small country also has a rich and vibrant artistic tradition. From the iconic paintings of Jóhannes S. Kjarval to the contemporary installations of Ragnar Kjartansson and Olafur Eliasson — Icelandic artists have earned a significant place on the international stage.

This article is a comprehensive guide to the Icelandic art ecosystem — and to how Föndurlist supports Icelandic artists with top-quality materials and special orders from leading international manufacturers.

🎓 Art Schools in Iceland

Iceland University of the Arts (LHÍ)

Iceland University of the Arts (Listaháskóli Íslands) is Iceland's only higher education institution dedicated to the fine arts. Founded in 1998, it offers bachelor's and master's programmes across seven departments:

• Fine Art
• Design
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Film
• Architecture
• Arts Education

Reykjavík School of Visual Arts (MÍR)

The Reykjavík School of Visual Arts is an independent, artist-run school offering:

• Full-time programme — accredited at secondary school level
• Open art courses — drawing, oil painting, watercolour, photography, ceramics, textiles
• Children's education — in collaboration with the City of Reykjavík

🏛️ Museums and Institutions

National Gallery of Iceland

The National Gallery of Iceland (Listasafn Íslands), founded in 1884, is the primary institution for Icelandic and international art.

Reykjavík Art Museum

The Reykjavík Art Museum is the largest visual arts institution in Iceland, operating across three locations:

🖼️ Private Galleries

Gallery	Description	Website
i8 Gallery	Est. 1995 — Olafur Eliasson, Ragnar Kjartansson	i8.is
Kling og Bang	Artist-run gallery in Marshall House	klingogbang
Þula	Connected to Hverfisgallerí — Marshall House	—
Living Art Museum (NÝLÓ)	Independent, artist-run — experimental art	nylo.is

Marshall House (Marshallhúsið) in Reykjavík's Grandi harbour district is a true cultural powerhouse, home to Kling og Bang, NÝLÓ, i8 Grandi and Þula — a must-visit destination for any art lover.

🤝 Art Associations

SÍM — Association of Icelandic Visual Artists

SÍM, founded in 1982, is Iceland's largest professional association for visual artists with approximately 970 members:

• Studios: ~230 rental studios in the capital area
• International residency: Hosting 150+ artists per year
• SÍM Gallery and the Hlöðuloft exhibition space
• Artótek: An art lending service

Icelandic Watercolour Society (Vatnslitafélag Íslands)

The Icelandic Watercolour Society promotes watercolour painting in Iceland:

• Regular exhibitions and events
• Member portfolio showcases
• Aurora Watercolour Festival — an international watercolour festival in Akureyri, September 2026

🛒 Föndurlist — Supporting Icelandic Artists

Föndurlist is an Icelandic online shop for premium art supplies: