Action plan for Múlaþing’s cultural policy 2024-2030
Cultural heritage, cultural value, and museum policy
Publisher: Múlaþing
Editor: Aðalheiður Borgþórsdóttir
English translation: Katrín Alfa Snorradóttir
Design: Esther Ösp Gunnarsdóttir, Austurbrú
Cover photo: The Eggs in Gleðivík by Icelandic Explorer
Here are presented some special actions which will contribute to the goals that have been put forward with the policy and will be fulfilled no later than by 2030. The proposals that are presented here are based on conversations with stakeholders in Múlaþing’s art and culture field. Meetings were held in all of Múlaþing’s towns and more people were invited than attended.
Some actions only need to be pushed forward and can therefore be met already, others need a little support. Some actions need to be reviewed annually with regard to specific funding or other interventions by the municipality and the government where appropriate.
Arts and culture is an important industry in Múlaþing and it is important to support the activities that already exist in the municipality and promote innovation.
The action plan for Múlaþing’s cultural policy was approved by the Regional Council on the 18th of June, 2024.
Aðalheiður Borgþórsdóttir, Jónína Brá Árnadóttir and Heiðdís Hólm Guðmundsdóttir
Action 1.1.
A conversation with the schools regarding trips to museums and exhibitions.
Access to the municipals cultural institutions for primary schools will be balanced. Costs for trips to museums and exhibitions will be included in the primary schools’ financial plans.
Múlaþing’s cultural institutions draw up a joint educational plan aimed at ensuring that all primary school students in the municipality have visited all of Múlaþing’s cultural institutions when they graduate from primary school. Cultural institutions also emphasize the importance of meeting the needs of schools in their immediate surroundings and that educational programs and projects take into account the national curriculum for primary schools.
Possible goal: Children in Múlaþing have visited all the museums in the municipality when they graduate from primary school.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, and the Director of Education, in co-operation with Múlaþing’s schools, cultural institutions, and museums.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Preparatory work and cost analysis fall within the financial framework. Continued work will be evaluated subsequently.
Action 1.2.
Institutions work against cultural differentiation.
It is necessary to identify and map the group that cultural institutions serve and aim to reach everyone. Activate continuous activities for children, possibly with special grants. Child-friendly spaces in museums and institutions need to be established.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, museums, and other cultural institutions in Múlaþing.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Preparatory work and cost analysis fall within the financial framework. Continued work will be evaluated subsequently.
Action 1.3.
Activities for seniors promoted.
That they will be specially taken care of with organised visits to Múlaþing’s museums and cultural institutions
and/or special projects regarding the dissemination of cultural heritage and artistic creation. They will be invited to participate in the work of workshops relating to the collection of their stories and their contemporary heritage.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, and Múlaþing’s museums and other cultural institutions.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Preparatory work and cost analysis fall within the financial framework. Continued work will be evaluated subsequently.
Action 1.4. Promotions for cultural activity in Múlaþing.
The visibility and flow of information regarding cultural activities in Múlaþing need to be increased in co-operation with Austurbrú. An analysis of dissemination and a cost estimate will be carried out. It needs to be examined whether Múlaþing can publish a program of artistic and cultural events in the municipality, e.g. in spring, both in digital and printed form.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Work falls within the financial framework.
Action 1.5
An active dialogue with Múlaþing’s artists and residents.
The Department of Culture and institutions have an active dialogue with residents about arts and culture. Institutions maintain a strong network of artists in the area and are open to dialogue with residents about the services available.
Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, in co-operation with the cultural institutions of the municipality, will conduct open meetings in a regular manner, in which everyone is allowed to participate. The work must be organised in regard to each group, facilities, and time.
The purpose is to promote community awareness, empathy, and that people find artistic and cultural activities that suit. Discuss openly the purpose, need, ambition, creative community, and how to ensure that as many people as possible get to enjoy themselves. These include the community workshops held at the libraries, language coffees, art workshops of various kinds, open chats over coffee cups, participation in the institutions’ art events and professional plays, working with professionals, etc.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Work falls within the financial framework.
Action 1.6.
Art education in Múlaþing.
Art education for children and young people in the municipality is to be charted and an action plan regarding improvements where necessary will be implemented. The BRAS Festival, LungA folk school, Hallormsstaðaskóli, Egilsstaðir College, and Múlaþing’s preschools and primary schools will be invited to discuss the issue.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, and Múlaþing’s Family Affairs Sector.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Work falls within the financial framework.
Action 1.7.
Activities with newcomers and immigrants promoted.
At least once a year, newcomers and immigrants will receive attention from the cultural institutions of Múlaþing, with a special presentation of possibilities for knowledge acquisition, creative work and events.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, Múlaþing’s Department of Administration, Múlaþing’s Family Affairs Sector, and Múlaþing’s museums and cultural institutions.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Preparatory work falls within the financial framework.
Action 1.8.
Activities with people with disabilities promoted.
People with disabilities receive the attention of Múlaþing’s cultural institutions in a structured manner. Visits to museums and cultural institutions will be organised. People with disabilities will be able to pursue art studies that will be adapted to their individual needs.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, Múlaþing’s Family Affairs Sector, and Múlaþing’s museums and cultural institutions i.a. in co-operation with local arts institutions.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Preparatory work falls within the financial framework.
Action 1.9.
Creative summer jobs.
The municipality has been requested to support creative summer jobs. The project needs to be evaluated, co-operation with Fjarðabyggð explored, costs assessed and a financial basis created.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector, Múlaþing’s Family Affairs Sector, and Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Unfunded.
Tvísöngur in Seyðisfjörður.
Action 2.1.
Recruitment in event management needs to be facilitated and unsustainable projects should be given an operational basis.
If a project has received funding from the municipality for three consecutive years, it will be possible to apply for a long-term co-operation. It is proposed that the cultural and artistic support system will be examined and whether there is a reason to establish a cultural development fund, like the Development Fund for Tourist Attractions.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture in cooperation with the support system for culture and arts, the government, and the municipality.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Work falls within the financial plan.
Action 2.2.
The municipality’s buildings in abeyance.
Temporary project spaces for artistic projects will be established in Múlaþing’s buildings, which are in abeyance, and allocated at a reasonable price. A system that facilitates the process needs to be set up. Activate housing such as the Community Workshop, social centres, etc. which could be used more effectively, e.g. for seminars, workshops, and more that would fall under the same system.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture in cooperation with Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector.
Timetable: 2024-2025.
Cost: Rent that covers the operation of the buildings, e.g. heat and electricity.
Action 2.3.
Monuments and artworks in public spaces.
Perform a special evaluation of outdoor artworks and memorials owned by the municipality, map, examine the condition, and make a maintenance plan. Formulate a procedure for the installation of artworks in public spaces, where public buildings, open areas in urban areas, and wilderness areas of the municipality will be considered. A plan for purchasing outdoor artworks will be launched.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture in cooperation with Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector.
Timetable: 2025-2026.
Cost: Evaluation and maintenance work fall within the financial framework.
Action 2.4.
Research and remote jobs.
It is important to increase the number of remote jobs in the field of art and culture, and that artists will be enabled to come to stay (guest workshops).
Explore research and remote jobs in the art field, have a meeting with the Minister of Culture and Commerce and seek co-operation on the matter. Work with and update the housing list for remote jobs as well as for art residencies. Make a draft so that such facilities will be available in all of the municipals towns in co-opera-
tion with beneficiaries.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture in cooperation with Austurbrú.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Work falls within the financial framework.
Action 2.5.
Múlaþing’s cultural centres.
Special support must be provided to Múlaþing’s cultural centres, in particular with an annual operating budget and further funding must be drafted in co-operation with SSA, Austurbrú, and the Minister of Culture and Commerce.
The cultural centres play a key role for artists who come to work in the municipality, looking for exhibition facilities, a residence or other facilities for artistic creation. Local people need to be actively engaged, e.g. by inviting them to exhibit, activate them during installations and collaborate with professional artists who come to work in the buildings.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture in co-operation with the directors of Múlaþing’s cultural institutions, SSA, and Austurbrú.
Action 2.6.
Domestic travel grants.
Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture will push the establishment of a fund in co-operation with the government, which will provide special domestic travel grants for art events and artists in the municipality, as was previously known with the Community Centres’ Fund.
Also to look into whether it would be possible to establish a cultural development fund, as is well known regarding the development of tourist attractions. The cost of art events is higher in the countryside and countermeasures are necessary.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture in co-operation with the government.
Timetable: 2024-2025.
Cost: Work falls within the financial framework.
Action 3.1.
Annual cultural events of the locals in each town.
LungA Festival, Bræðslan Music festival, Hammond Festival, Ormsteiti Festival, Skógardagurinn mikli, Art in the Light Festival, BRAS Festival, Rolling Snowball, and other annual arts and cultural events need support now as always. Events that are local pride and make the municipality interesting to visit are important for both residents and the economy. It must be ensured that festivals can continue to thrive on their own terms, freely and creatively. The municipality will continue to support the events as much as possible within the financial framework each time, as it has done in the past.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: Annually.
Cost: Partially unfunded, funding for annual events must be increased in co-operation between the government and the municipality, see also Action 2.6, Domestic travel grants.
Action 3.2.
Revision of the 17th of June, Fishermen’s Day, and New Year’s. Festival program in all towns.
It is important to ensure that similar support is given to celebrations in all of Múlaþing’s towns.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Family Affairs Sector, Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector, and Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Work on revisions falls within the financial framework.
Action 3.3.
Transportation and cultural buses.
Check whether it will be possible to offer buses in conjunction with events in the municipality, e.g. by negotiating with concessionaires that provide scheduled trips between locations to move or add trips. Such trips will be subsidized with funds from the National Treasury.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Work on exploring possibilities falls within a financial framework.
Action 3.4.
Special agreements with Seyðisfjörður and Djúpivogur.
Projects such as the Centre for Cultural Studies, the Peripheral Grant in Djúpivogur, and the support of the “North-east Committee” for permanent positions in Djúpivogur need to be evaluated.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Work on exploring the possibilities falls within the financial framework.
Action 3.5.
Co-operation with national institutions in culture and arts.
Great emphasis must be placed on a co-operation with art institutions such as the National Theatre of Iceland and the National Gallery of Iceland, institutions that, according to the contract, are supposed to have a certain role in the countryside. The implementation of such co-operation needs to be carried out with the heads of the relevant institutions and the minister of the field. It is evident that the costs of such co-operation are often too much for institutions in the countryside. This proposal aligns well with the emphasis on accessibility and participation (goal 1 Arts around the country) which the Ministry of Education and Culture published in Menningarsókn - action plan until 2030.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, event organizers, and the directors of Múlaþing’s art institutions.
Timetable: 2024-2025.
Cost: Work on exploring possibilities falls within the financial framework.
Action 4.1.
The House of Museums’ building will be completed and the facilities of the museums in the building will be upgraded, the museums will remain accessible to all, regardless of class or status, and the three museums will be able to carry out stronger community work. It is important that the cost of interior furnishings for the museums in the building will be taken into account, that a plan will be prepared before starting work, and that this plan will be prepared in consultation with the directors. The construction of the House of Museums’ building should fit within the municipality’s investment plan.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector, and the building committee.
Timetable: 2024-2026.
Cost: 330 million is in Múlaþing’s five-year investment plan. Scheduled for completion in 2026.
Action 4.2.
Múlaþing’s community centres.
The community centre of each town will be defined, implemented and costs analysed. That a proposal will be presented in the financial and investment plans.
Múlaþing’s libraries are at a turning point and need attention. A policy for the future needs to be developed in accordance with the ideas presented in the cultural policy, chapter no. 4, page 18.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, Múlaþing’s libraries, and the home rules.
Timetable: 2025-2030.
Cost: Unfunded to a large extent. Preparation work falls within the financial framework.
Action 4.3.
Lindarbakki, Borgarfjörður eystri.
Lindarbakki receives permanent supervision; an employee who handles both maintenance and supervision in co-operation with Borgarfjörður’s utility building. A plan of the opening hours, maintenance and recruitment of the employee is required. The cost of operating an employee falls within the financial framework of Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, and Múlaþing’s Department of Implementation and Environmental Affairs. A maintenance plan must be drawn up and put on the investment plan.
Responsibility: The Director of Labour and Culture, and the Director of Implementation and Environmental Affairs.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Work on the plan falls within the financial framework.
Action 4.4.
Ríkharðshús in Djúpivogur.
The board of Ríkharðshús finishes its work on the museum’s housing affairs this year and makes a plan for the next steps and funding.
Responsibility: The board of Ríkharðshús and Djúpivogur’s home rule.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Ríkharðshús’ fund.
Action 4.5.
Herðubreið Community Centre in Seyðisfjörður.
Repairs to the festivity hall and exterior cladding. General maintenance has long been on the agenda. It is important that the work will be completed as soon as possible.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: 100 million is in Múlaþing’s five-year investment plan.
Action 4.6.
Fjarðarborg in Borgarfjörður eystri.
The project will be completed on the basis that is already largely specified. The operating arrangements will finally be submitted for discussion and processing by Borgarfjörður’s home rule and the Regional Council. Fjarðarborg will be Borgarfjörður’s community centre.
Responsibility: Representative of Better Borgarfjörður, Borgarfjörður’s home rule, and Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector.
Timetable: 2026.
Cost: 214 million is in Múlaþing’s five-year investment plan.
Action 4.7.
Publication
Information about the cultural heritage of the region is accessible to everyone. Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture will manage publicity in co-operation with the event managers and directors of the municipality’s cultural institutions. Signs and information boards at cultural or historical sites will be reviewed and updated as necessary. Cost analysis will take place in 2024.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2024.
Cost: Analysis falls within the financial framework.
Action 4.8.
Preservation of cultural heritage.
An analysis of the need for storage facilities will be carried out, the means of improvement and financing will be mapped.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s museums in co-operation with Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Preparatory work falls within the financial framework.
Action 4.9.
Conservation of old buildings.
Work on a protected area in the settlements is underway in Seyðisfjörður, Egilsstaðir, and Djúpivogur. The importance of cultural heritage is brought to light, old buildings are given new roles and the cultural heritage is visible and presented to residents and tourists.
Responsibility: Múlaþing‘s Department of Labour and Culture, Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector, and the Planning Officer.
Timetable: 2026.
Cost: 4 million is in Múlaþing’s five-year investment plan. Otherwise unfunded.
Action 4.10.
The economic impact of culture and culture-related tourism.
Emphasis will be placed on mapping the economic impact of culture and cultural tourism. The municipality emphasizes that economic data should be processed as much as possible and that key institutions such as the Icelandic Tourist Board, Statistics Iceland, and Austurbrú should be encouraged to work on such a compilation.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture.
Timetable: 2025.
Cost: Falls within the financial framework.
Action 4.11.
Archaeological excavations in Fjörður in Seyðisfjörður.
Archaeological research has been carried out in parallel to the construction of avalanche defences under Bjólfur on Fjarðaralda in Seyðisfjörður. Antikva ehf has been conducting archaeological excavations and research since 2021 until today. During the excavation, significant artefacts and human remains from the settlement have been found, which are important to preserve and publish. Efforts will be made to make the area accessible to tourists once the excavation and construction of the avalanche defences is completed. Care should be taken to ensure that there is a co-operation on the finishing of the site.
Responsibility: Múlaþing’s Department of Labour and Culture, and Múlaþing’s Environmental and Implementational Sector, in cooperation with The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland, Antikva ehf, and the Avalanche Fund.
Timetable: 2024 - 2025.
Cost: Preparatory work and planning fall within the financial framework.
