Skólasetning LHÍ: Velkomin nýnemar!

The start of school at the Iceland Academy of the Arts took place on Monday, August 17, where around 220 new students were welcomed on LHÍ's freshman day at a festive program in Stakkahlíð. The program marked the formal beginning of the academic year and gave new students the opportunity to get to know the school community, its services and the diverse opportunities that await them in the coming semesters.

The day began with a joint presentation for all new students, where Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, rector of LHÍ, welcomed the students with an inspired address. After that, the school's activities were presented, as well as the main support areas, service units and resources available to the students. The school's safety rules and communication agreement were also reviewed, which is intended to promote respect, safety and good communication within the school community.

One of the highlights of the day was the talk of the loyalist Ásta Fanneyjar Sigurðardóttir, visual artist, poet and performance artist, who delivered to new students words of encouragement about learning, creativity and art work. Ásta Fanney is among the most famous contemporary artists in the country and during her career has worked on the border between numerous art forms, including art, poetry, filmmaking, music and performance art. Her work has been shown and performed at museums and art festivals around the world, and in 2021 she was nominated for the Bernard-Heidsieck Award at the Center Pompidou in France. She was also chosen to represent Iceland at the Venice Biennale in art in 2026, one of the most prestigious contemporary art venues internationally.

In her talk, Ásta Fanney encouraged new students to cultivate their curiosity, trust their own voice and approach their studies with an open mind and notice the clues the world sends us. Her experience of diverse and unconventional artistic paths reflects the values that the Iceland Academy of the Arts emphasizes: research, experimentation and creative thinking.

In the afternoon, the freshman information plaza opened where students could learn more about the activities of the school's departments and service units Light refreshments were offered and DJ Housekell provided the music, creating a lively atmosphere among freshmen.

With freshman day, the new school year at LHÍ officially began and new students were encouraged to take an active part in the diverse and creative school community that characterizes the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Welcome, dear new students!

Kristína Eysteinsdóttir's address, rector, can be read in its entirety here.