Hafnarborg – the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art 

Hafnarborg, the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art, was established in 1983 thanks to a donation from Sverrir Magnússon and Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir. That year, the couple donated their art collection to the town of Hafnarfjörður, along with their house at Strandgata 34, where the museum stands. Subsequently, construction began on an extension to accommodate exhibitions and other cultural events, but this project was completed in 1988, when Hafnarborg was officially inaugurated. The museum is thus founded on a private collection that has continued to grow over the years and now includes nearly 2,000 artworks. The couple’s Founding Collection consisted mainly of works by Icelandic artists from the first half of the 20th century. Today, Hafnarborg preserves the art collection of the town of Hafnarfjörður, which includes dedicated sub-collections of works by several artists. The largest of these is the collection of works by painter Eiríkur Smith (1925-2016), comprising nearly 400 pieces. The collection continues to expand year by year, with acquisitions made in line with an approved acquisitions policy. In recent years, new additions have primarily reflected the museum’s exhibition programme and an effort to collect works that shed light on contemporary trends and movements, while also aiming to strengthen the collection overall. Each year, numerous exhibitions and art events are presented that reflect the power and creativity of the contemporary art scene. In addition, the museum supports research and exhibitions based on its collection. The exhibition programme is diverse, encompassing a wide range of contemporary art, including highlighting international artists and Icelandic artists from the early 20th century who are considered particularly relevant to Hafnarborg’s collection. The museum also runs a robust educational programme, offering guided tours and lectures in connection with exhibitions. Music plays an integral role at the museum, with regular concert series showcasing classical, contemporary, chamber and jazz works. Hafnarborg also offers spaces for conferences and meetings, along with an international Artist-in-Residence programme.