Arnar Dan Kristjánsson - interview

Arnar Dan Kristjánsson is a master's student in the art education department of LHÍ

 

„I'm Hafnfjörður... or I grew up there Today I live in the western town of Reykjavik and I don't think I'm a westerner today It's a constant journey of self-creation and that's why I really always find it strange to start sentences on" i am. Tomorrow I could suddenly become something completely different. Today I am mainly a student teacher, teacher, actor, carpenter and father, says Arnar Dan, but before he came to study in the art education department he was playing, teaching and building a house; to trample life's bruises as he says himself.

„I worked as a head of department at the Dvergastein kindergarten, initially just in the hope of bringing my daughter in. I was thirsty for safety, order and being able to have time with the family at night“, Arnar says, but teaching has really always followed him.

„My mother is a teacher, I have worked a lot with children, both in part-time teaching and after-school activities, directed performances in primary schools and engaged in teaching in one way or another We are always budding and life has led me here I have always been passionate about communication and the connection age“.“

At the Dvergasteini kindergarten, Arnar got responsibility, experience and his interest in kindergarten matters increased.

„I wanted to be the change I want to see within the system, not complain but take responsibility and do. The kindergarten principal pointed me to the teacher training program, but the City of Reykjavík supports employees who are interested in the teacher training program with an auspicious scholarship. So in 2025 I decided to take the plunge and started studying at the art education department at LHÍ,“ says Arnar, but his time in the department has been significantly positive.

„I'm the journey and the study is teaching me the way I come to use in the future. “ Diaries and staff research. Perception and pedagogy. " Love it. I've gained a deeper view of the theory and met great artists who want to make a difference With this decision, I've opened up new possibilities for myself as an artist, and I'm therefore very grateful for this path of the Academy of Arts. It's a good feeling to feel growth towards something beautiful. “

Asked about the plans for a final project from the master's program, there are no answers: Yes, I am bigoted and the question is whether I will be given time to implement this, but today I am mainly collecting studies, being influenced and formulating an idea. An actor starts a kindergarten the title of the final project will be, says Arnar, but his dream is to build a strategy where everything is core around play and relationships.

„The game is magic that connects and builds trust. The staff at the Play School both need to know how to play by themselves, know their own state of flow, and possess a comprehensive knowledge of children's spontaneous play. Otherwise, you can be somewhere else“, Arnar says, but he sees great beauty in art.

„Artists are sensitive creatures that thrive on relationships just like children. “ Therefore, I would like to have teachers with me who have a great and rich artistic nerve and live for it to influence children's development processesWe need professionals on the floor not in meetings. You don't work on being a teacher; you are a teacher and are always prepared. It's a dream and I want to stay in it a little, design and shape housing, materials and strategy".“