Arts and Culture in Iceland

What Drives Icelanders’ Creativity?

Given Iceland’s small population, creativity often benefits from the ease of connection. With fewer degrees of separation, artists, organizers, and institutions interact more directly, creating a cultural scene that is less hierarchical and more collaborative. This closeness also means decision-makers are more attuned to the needs of the creative community. While it is open to debate whether culture is Iceland’s top national priority, public funding and support systems provide meaningful opportunities for both Icelandic artists and international creatives living in the country.

Although Iceland’s dramatic landscape is undeniably inspiring, it is only part of the story. Creativity is nurtured from an early age through access to arts and crafts at school and at home, where hands-on making, including traditional skills such as knitting, remains common. Education is free and places strong emphasis on play, curiosity, and exploration. A broader culture of openness and independence further supports creative thinking. At its core, however, Iceland’s creative vitality is rooted in a society where basic needs are accessible, allowing people the freedom to experiment, create, and take risks.

Exhibition Spaces

In the visual arts, the myriad spaces that foster such flourishing activity are evident across a wide range of venues that play an essential role in the island's artistic conversations. The hub of all this activity, of course, takes place in the country’s cultural capital, Reykjavik. In addition to a Museum of Photography, Reykjavik has three city art museums: Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, and Ásmundarsafn. There are also independent galleries such as BERG Contemporary, í8 Gallery, Harbinger, Wind and Weather Window Gallery, and other artist-run spaces. Around the country, you can also find outdoor installations run by local municipalities and artist-run exhibition spaces in more rural areas. Many of these art spaces in rural areas have transformed fish factories, storage containers, and other abandoned spaces into thriving creative centers. There is also a major art museum in the cultural capital of the North, Akureyri Art Museum, as well as smaller galleries that give you a taste of the unique local art scene.

Books

The city of Reykjavík nurtures its literary heritage, which has culminated in its designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. Famous as a nation of bookworms, Iceland has one of the highest book rates per capita, with 3.5 books for every 1,000 inhabitants, and the most authors per capita. There are over 30 publishers in Reykjavik alone, active at both the annual Reykjavik International Literary Festival and the Reykjavik Book Fair. The Iceland Writers Retreat claims that part of the reason Iceland is home to so many writers is the influence of the Sagas, masterpieces of medieval European prose that are hundreds of years old and form part of the canon of lore that every Icelander grows up with. There is also the phenomenon of the Christmas book flood - jólabókaflóð - when publishers release hundreds of new titles on the market, and Icelandic authors are in the spotlight. Books are also a very popular Christmas gift, ensuring long winters in which to dive into the latest voices in Icelandic literature.

Music

Iceland has long been known for its vibrant music scene and massive creative output. Internationally revered musicians such as Björk, Of Monsters and Men, Sigur Rós, Ásgeir, Emiliana Torrini, múm, Kaleo, Ólafur Arnalds, and Gus Gus, along with composers like Hildur Guðnadóttir, Víkingur Heiðar, Anna Thorvaldsdóttir, and the late Jóhann Jóhannsson, have all played a part in establishing Reykjavík’s reputation as a unique place to enjoy live music.

This placement of Icelandic bands on the international music scene seemed to inspire more Icelanders than ever before to experiment with more bands, with an increase in music festivals as well. The prolific music scene has been attributed to a general attitude of experimentation and ease of networking within the community. The Icelandic writer and environmentalist Andri Snær Magnason has also spoken of a precondition for a ‘minority complex’ stemming from being a small island nation that was formerly under colonial rule. However paradoxical, it is this ‘minority complex’ in which the world expects nothing from you that creates a drive to really be seen culturally.

Festivals

Iceland offers festivals year-round. Some are local traditions, while others are large multi-venue festivals that draw thousands of visitors. The seasonal light provides a backdrop for staying up all night with the midnight sun. For music lovers, there is the Secret Solstice Music Festival, Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, Aldrei fór ég suður Rock Music Festival, Innipúkinn Festival, and Dark Music Days. For art and design lovers, there is Culture Night in Reykjavik, Reykjavík's Art Festival, Sequences Real-Time Art Festival, and DesignMarch. For film lovers, there is the Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF).