Iceland University of the Arts

The Iceland University of the Arts is a unique institution, offering a diverse range of study programs despite having a relatively small student body. As the only university dedicated to the arts in Iceland, it plays a significant role in serving the country's citizens. Operating in an international environment, the university targets leading art schools in neighboring countries to excel in teaching and imparting knowledge in the arts.

The Iceland University of the Arts serves as a platform for modern art creation and a community focused on enhancing students' creativity. Actively participating in national life, the university also connects Iceland's cultural base to the international art and culture scene through its diverse student body and collaborations with foreign art universities.

Three core values guide all activities and subjects at the Iceland University of the Arts, shaping our attitudes and approach.

Curiosity – Understanding – Courage

Out of curiosity we ask and look for new ways, solutions and answers; we break down the answers and seek understanding of the unknown; thus we develop the courage to follow our convictions and artistic vision.

The Iceland University of the Arts is dedicated to promoting progressive thinking in arts and culture, stimulating innovation and development across all fields. The university provides higher education in the arts, imparting knowledge and professionalism to society.

The Iceland University of the Arts is a community of students, academics, teachers, and staff where equality and respect prevail in all interactions. Operating in an international environment, the university targets leading art schools in neighboring countries that excel in artistic matters.

Kristín Eysteinsdóttir is the Rector of the Iceland University of the Arts.

Kristín Eysteinsdóttir earned a master's degree in directing from Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2007, following a BA in dramaturgy from the University of Aarhus in 2002. She has directed around 20 shows in commercial theaters and served as a permanent director at Borgarleikhúsið from 2008 to 2014. In 2008, she was named Director of the Year at Gríman for the show Sá ljóti and received nominations for the same award in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Kristín has also directed at Útvarpsleikhúsið, worked as a dramaturg for numerous shows, and held various positions of responsibility, including board seats and chairmanships in drama, education, and publishing committees.

Kristín Eysteinsdóttir was appointed Theater Manager of the City Theater in 2014 and held the position until 2020. Under her leadership, the City Theater achieved remarkable artistic and operational success, breaking attendance records and winning the Grímuna, the Icelandic performing arts award, for Show of the Year every year during her tenure. She recently completed her first short film and has been developing her first full-length film for the past two years. Kristín also served as a Professor and Programme Director in the Department of Performing Arts at the Iceland University of the Arts during the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Iceland University of the Arts is a non-profit organization. At its founding meeting on September 21, 1998, the school was granted a charter signed by representatives of the Association of Icelandic Artists and the Minister of Education. The Minister of Justice confirmed the charter on September 29 of the same year. According to the charter, the role of the University of the Arts is to provide higher education in the field of arts. The school also aims to promote art education nationwide and convey knowledge about arts and culture to the public.

On March 24, 1999, the school and the Minister of Education signed a statement that included how the structure of education would be handled.

The University of the Arts received a license on June 10, 1999 and began its activities in the fall with the operation of the art department.

The development of the University of the Arts has been rapid since its operation began in 1999. In accordance with the declaration of March 24, 1999, the school began teaching drama in the fall of 2000 and music in 2001. The school then began operating an independent design department in 2001, and a year later studies in architecture, product design were introduced and fashion design.

Teaching studies for artists was assigned an independent place within the school from the fall of 2001, and teaching at the master's level began in 2009.

New study programs within the drama department started in the fall of 2005, i.e. a one-year dance program in collaboration with the Icelandic Dance Group and a three-year program in contemporary theater activities called "research and practice." A course in contemporary dance was established within the drama department in 2007. The name of the department was changed to the performing arts department in the fall of 2014 and the name of the course "research and practice" was changed in the stagewriting program.

Within the music department, two new study programs were started in 2008, a study program in church music for the bachelor's degree and a study program in composition at the master's level. A year later, a new master's degree course within the department, Sköpun meðiláð and entrepreneurship, which is a pan-European program of five conservatories in Europe (NAIP), started operating. In the fall of 2012, two new study programs at the master's level began, MA in design and MA in art. Studying on the vocal and musical instrument teacher study path began in the fall of 2013, study on the musical and musical instrument teacher study path at the master's level began in the fall of 2016, and in the fall of 2018 a study path at the bachelor's level in rhythmic singing and musical instrument teaching was set up.

Along with the structure of the departments, the support areas have each developed in their own way, including library and information services for all arts and computer and internet services. A research service was established at the school in 2007.