Schooling of the Iceland Academy of the Arts 2025

Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, rector of LHÍ, welcomed new students today and encouraged them to approach their studies with an open mind.

  „You are embarking on an amazing journey, and I want to encourage you to be open to everything that will come your way for the next few days and weeks. Let yourselves experience and enjoy“ The "S.

Kristin emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes „Enthusiate experiments and embrace mistakes, because there you will grow“ Kristin further encouraged students to see obstacles as opportunities, cultivate flexibility, perseverance and empathy „Seek inspiration and encouragement everywhere, in conversations - with peers, mentors and the world around you“.

Kristína Eysteinsdóttir's address to new students can be read in its entirety below.

Þóra Einarsdóttir, assistant rector of studies and teaching, introduced the students to the subject director, the dean of departments together with the program of the freshman week, and Haukur Björnsson reviewed housing, accessibility and other issues.

As usual, the start of school ended with a speech from Hollnema, who this time was Gréta Salóme Stefánsdóttir, a musician and newly hired associate professor at the Music Department of LHÍ.

In her speech, Greta Salóme inspired students and talked about being a Holistic Artist or „The Holistic Artist“ She emphasized that it is a privilege to spend years studying and dedicating yourself to art and that it is important to use this time to learn new things and find your own ways of creating art.

Address by Kristína Eysteinsdóttir, rector of LHÍ

Dear guests, dear new students!

It is extremely happy to be with you here today at this turning point that marks the beginning of your studies at the University of the Arts.

To all of you who crossed the threshold this morning, full of dreams and maybe a little anxiety, I would like to say - welcome first of all!

You are starting an amazing journey and I want to encourage you to be open to everything that will come your way in the coming days and weeks. Allow yourself to experience and enjoy.

The University of the Arts is a society where you get space and time to cultivate your talents and uniqueness under the guidance of excellent professionals, a place where you can test yourself, experiment, ask questions, search, find and develop.

Our goal at work here is about you, dear students: to activate and train your skills, ingenuity and knowledge with an emphasis on innovation, independence, progressiveness and professionalism.

I urge you to enjoy this journey that lies ahead Allow yourselves to seek, for the search itself is one of the most important aspects of creation Seeking untold stories, unexpected perspectives, rolling stones and shedding light on the unexpected Seeking humanity, beauty, cruelty and goodness Be curious about everything in human existence.

Embrace experimentation and embrace failure, for there you will grow Be open to criticism and conversation, be humble. Adopt discipline and flow at the same time.Take your studies seriously but be simultaneously open to art.

In its purest form, art can be the space and the moment of magic where we witness each other and where the essence of art is exposed In art we find and lose ourselves at the same time.

Art allows us to express what has not been said and see what has not been seen She creates new thinking and new perspectives She is not only a mirror of society, she is also a hammer to shape it.

In your studies, I urge you to step into your courage. Dare to pursue what really interests you Be brave in subjects, approaches and methodologies It is precisely the role of this school to engage the specific in you.

Cultivate and form relationships, make an effort to connect with others and also yourself, look to each other, look to us, share your experiences, listen and lift each other up when the going gets tough.

The winter ahead is full of opportunities for collaboration, innovation and growth. Take advantage of everything this school can offer you - workshops, lectures, exhibitions and events. Don't be afraid to take risks, mistakes are an essential part of the creative process and they can lead to rebirths and deep revolutions.Remember that every artist has faced challenges and doubts, but what matters is how you respond to them.

Approach therefore obstacles as opportunities - be flexible in your thinking and train yourselves with perseverance and adopt empathy towards yourself and others. Seek inspiration and encouragement everywhere, in conversation - with peers, mentors and the world around you.

Dear students,

Enjoy being students at the Iceland Academy of the Arts. May your journey here be transformative, inspiring and full of possibilities.

I look forward to the trip with you and hereby tell the school set.