The National Gallery of Iceland Wins the Icelandic Museum Awards 2026 in Reykjavík
The National Gallery of Iceland has been honored with the Icelandic Museum Awards 2026. Presented by the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, during a formal ceremony at Kjarvalsstaðir on International Museum Day, the accolade recognizes the institution's exceptional contributions to the cultural sector.
The joint initiative by the Icelandic National Committee of ICOM and the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals (FÍSOS) highlights excellence and achievement across the nation every two years.
Celebrating Courageous Curatorship and Public Engagement
The award specifically highlights the gallery's groundbreaking exhibition, The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries. Curated by Dagný Heiðdal and Ólafur Ingi Jónsson, the project tackled a sensitive and challenging chapter in national art history.
According to the selection committee, the exhibition successfully combined rigorous scholarly research with innovative public engagement. By displaying authentic and forged works side by side and opening up research archives, the institution created an accessible and educational experience that empowers visitors to identify and understand art forgeries.
Director Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir noted that choosing to address this difficult subject required confronting uncomfortable aspects of local art history rather than focusing solely on more conventional narratives. This courageous approach ultimately provided a vital public service by raising awareness about art authenticity.
The other respected nominees recognized for their outstanding work this year included the Reykjavík City Museum, the East Iceland Heritage Museum, the Árni Magnússon Institute, and the East Iceland Technical Museum.
Visitors interested in exploring more cultural landmarks and current highlights around the capital can plan their next outing using Musemap, where you can browse the museum guide or check out the interactive map view to discover more about Reykjavík's vibrant creative scene.
