National Gallery of Iceland Wins the Icelandic Museum Awards 2026
The National Gallery of Iceland has been awarded the Icelandic Museum Awards 2026, receiving the biennial honor during a ceremony on International Museum Day. Presented jointly by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Iceland and the Association of Icelandic Museums and Museum Professionals (FÍSOS), the prize recognizes excellence and significant achievement within the country's cultural sector.
The recognition specifically highlights the gallery's work on The Mystery of the Lumpfish and Other Stories of Fakes and Forgeries, an exhibition curated by Dagný Heiðdal and Ólafur Ingi Jónsson.
Tackling Art Forgery in Reykjavik
Staged at the gallery's Fríkirkjuvegur building, the award-winning exhibition confronted a challenging and sensitive topic by placing authentic and forged works side by side. According to the selection committee, the project successfully blended rigorous scholarly research with transparent public engagement, making complex conservation and authentication processes accessible to visitors.
Gallery Director Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir noted that addressing a difficult chapter in local art history required courage, with the primary goal of educating the public on how forgeries are identified and avoided. The selection committee similarly praised the institution for taking on a complex subject that had not previously received such comprehensive public and professional discussion in the country.
The formal presentation took place at Kjarvalsstaðir, where President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir handed over the prize. Other nominees for the 2026 awards included the Reykjavík City Museum, the East Iceland Heritage Museum, the Árni Magnússon Institute, and the East Iceland Technical Museum.
Visitors interested in exploring further cultural highlights and ongoing exhibitions across the capital can find more inspiration through Musemap, where you can browse museums or check the map view to plan your next visit.
