A declaration of intent for the development of the future premises of the Iceland Academy of the Arts in Stakkahlíð was signed today The statement marks a turning point in the school's history as now the funding is clearly outlined and the signing of the statement is therefore a special cause for celebration The development in Stakkahlíð implies that all departments of the University of the Arts will merge under one roof for the first time since the school's establishment.
It is believed that the existing facilities at Stakkahlíð meet well the diverse needs of the University of the Arts, but it is expected that the building will be built to accommodate the activities there for the future. In the first phase, significant renovations will be made to the existing premises under the university's activities In the second phase, development will be undertaken in the area to accommodate other specialized activities of the university that do not fit within the existing buildings on the basis of needs analysis.
The discussion about bringing the school under one roof can all be attributed to the establishment of the school, but that has been the goal since the beginning. Various options have been considered for the activity, but now there is a realistic choice of a suitable location for this important activity.
„Creative subjects have immeasurable opportunities for growth, and the Iceland Academy of the Arts is the cradle and pillar of these disciplines, and therefore plays a key role“ With the letter of intent, the funding of the project is finally guaranteed in a clear way that is a true turning point. It allows us to construct a new Academy of the Arts quickly and efficiently so that the school is given similar facilities to other universities in the country and nation, and we are grateful to the Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education for bringing the issue forward with firmness and foresight."
- Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, rector of the Iceland Academy of the Arts
The University of the Arts is a school of all arts and plays an important role for creative disciplines, which are one of the foundations of diverse business life, culture and innovation in this country The University of the Arts is the only university in the field of art in Iceland and therefore has a broad role to play towards the national school operates in an international environment and targets those schools in the neighboring countries that excel in teaching and sharing knowledge in the fields of art.
Today, the University of the Arts operates in four buildings, but a large part of the activities already take place in Stakkahlíð. Since 1948, the first draft of the layout of the Hlíðs east of Länguhlíðar, where the street Stakkahlíð was marked from the tower of the Seamen's School. In the coming years, the idea was formed that the area east of the new street would become a school community with various institutions - a kind of „háborg“ of education and culture. The building at Stakkahlíð 1 is familiar to many, but the Iceland Teachers' College was housed there since 1962, which later merged with the University of Iceland. The newest building, Hamar, was built on the site at the turn of the last century and put into use in 2002. The building at Stakkahlíð 1 has therefore housed a new role as the core of creative industries in Iceland.
The declaration of intent was signed by the Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education, the Minister of Finance and Economy, the Mayor of Reykjavík and Rector Kristín Eysteinsdóttir at the opening of the BA's graduate exhibition except in architecture, design and art in the Reykjavík Art Museum. The signing is one of the biggest milestones in the school's history and we warmly welcome it - the future is bright.