Listasafn Reykjanesbæjar

The Reykjanes Art Museum began organized operations in 2003, though the idea for the museum had existed since the unification of the municipalities of Njarðvík, Hafnir, and Keflavík in 1994. At that time, there was no formal art museum, but Reykjanesbær had acquired an art collection through the municipal merger, consisting of around 200 works. Before this, the “Keflavík Art Museum” existed only as a name for an independent committee that, along with the town clerk, managed the acquisition of artworks. After a lengthy preparatory period, the museum's charter was approved by the Culture and Museum Council of Reykjanesbær on October 8, 2002. This marked a turning point, as the museum then received its own budget, dedicated premises, and formally adopted exhibition and acquisition policies. The Reykjanes Art Museum is located in the Duus Museum Hub and the museum’s official establishment is marked by its first exhibition, which opened on April 17, 2003, in a newly built 300-square-meter exhibition hall. However, two exhibitions had already been installed in the unfinished space in the fall of 2002. In 2020, a second exhibition hall was added, and the museum now has approximately 700 square meters of exhibition space. About five exhibitions are held annually in the front hall and the window hall. The collection is stored at a new collection center in Ásbrú, named “Saga,” and artworks from the collection are displayed throughout public institutions in Reykjanesbær. As the only art museum in the Suðurnes region, the Reykjanes Art Museum plays a vital role in the cultural life of the area. It operates with passion and dedication to diversity, progressiveness, and inclusion. The museum’s primary mission is to present an ambitious exhibition program that appeals to a wide audience, to grow and research its collection, to strengthen ties with the national and international art scenes, to engage actively with the local community, and to support art creation in Suðurnes. Looking to the future, the museum emphasizes improving accessibility, enhancing diverse educational initiatives, and promoting sustainable development. The museum aims to increase its visibility, be a vibrant platform for contemporary art in Suðurnes, and a strong force in Icelandic visual arts.