NET-HERITAGE

Cultural Heritage Context

Cultural Heritage has been an important issue in Iceland for a long time. The first Cultural Heritage Act was passed in 1907 shortly after the country was granted home rule from Danmark (1904). The current Act is the fourth of its kind since then, not counting various amendments.

Cultural Heritage Governance and Policy

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture’s Department of Cultural Affairs has overall responsibility for the management of cultural heritage in Iceland. It handles administration and policy formulation in cultural affairs under the Ministry's jurisdiction, including cultural heritage. Its area of responsibility includes relations with public cultural institutions, museums, NGOs, enterprises and individuals. The Department also supervises public support for arts and culture, including the administration of artistic and cultural funds.

The Archaeological Heritage Agency of Iceland is the central authority for the protection and management of archaeological monuments and sites in Iceland. The Architectural Heritage Board is the central authority for the preservation of the Icelandic architectural heritage. The National Museum is a national centre for the preservation and management of cultural heritage, cultural research programmes and promulgation of knowledge and information which relates to the cultural heritage of the nation.

Cultural Heritage Funding

Rannís (the Icelandic Centre for Research) is under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. Its purpose is to provide professional assistance in the preparation and implementation of science and technology policy in Iceland. Rannís serves the Icelandic scholarly community across all areas of science and the humanities and operates on an annual budget of about ISK 1200 million, devided between various grant funds.

The National Architectural Heritage Fund provides grants for the maintenance, preservation and restoration of protected buildings and other structures. Grants may also be allocated to other buildings, deemed by the National Architectural Heritage Board to have cultural, historical or artistic value. The Fund also supports research into the history of building in Iceland and publications on that subject. The Fund derives its income from the Treasury under each year’s Budget, as well as from the Local Authorities Equalisation Fund and through independent contributions.

The Archaeology Fund is to promote preservation and research on archaeological remains and objects. The fund operates according to regulations issued by the Minister of Education, Science and Culture. Grants are awarded to projects within the field of, archaeological research, conservation, cultural heritage protection, archaeological surveying as well as other projects that the fund committee deems eligible for grants.

Cultural Heritage Research

There is no specific national/federal/regional strategy on research applied to the protection of tangible cultural heritage in Iceland apart from the Cultural Heritage Act and the Architectural Act, both from 2001. The authorities listed above are those that would however have a role in such strategies.

Cultural Heritage Education and Outreach

Archaeology is taught both as a minor and a major subject for the degree of BA in the University of Iceland. Archaeology can be studied for the degree of MA as a two-year programme, and also as a subject of doctoral studies.

In the Agricultural University of Iceland in Hvanneyri, the Environmental and Landscape Planning programme focuses on the interaction of nature, man and forms, using a multi-disciplinary approach combining natural science, planning, technology and design.

Hólar University College is an education, research and development institution run by the Ministry of Agriculture. Hólar offers practical education in the field of Rural Tourism with an emphasis on local culture and natural environment.

The School of Ancient Crafts (Fornverkaskólinn) started in 2006. A development project concentrating on courses and other activities that promote the conservation of ancient crafts related to the Icelandic architectural heritage. A collaborative project of the Skagafjörður Folk Museum, NW Iceland Comprehensive College and Hólar University College. Curricula have been prepared for studies in turf craftsmanship, driftwood processing, and the theory and ideology of conservation.

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