Town artist of Garðabær
Since 1992, Garðabær has provided grants to artists.
Actor Jónmundur Grétarsson is the town artist of Garðabær 2026
The Town Artist of Garðabær 2026 was named at a ceremony in Sveinatunga on Garðatorg on May 28th. The Town Artist is actor Jónmundur Grétarsson. On the same occasion, architect Sigurður Hallgrímsson was honored for his invaluable contribution to architecture.
Town artists of Gardabær
The Culture and Museums Committee makes proposals to the town council for allocation, and only artists who reside in Garðabær are considered. The town artist is appointed in the spring at a ceremony. On the same occasion, an artist in Garðabær is awarded an honorary certificate for work in the interest of culture, and young people are awarded a grant.
Town artists of Gardabær
2025 Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir pianist
2024 Hans Jóhannsson master violin maker
2023 Gunnsteinn Ólafsson, conductor, composer and entrepreneur.
2022 Birgitta Haukdal singer and children's book author
2021 Unnur Ösp Stefándóttir director, writer and actor and Björn Thors actor
2020 Bjarni Thor Kristinsson opera singer
2019 Bjarni M. Bjarnason writer
2018 María Magnúsdóttir, singer and composer
2017 Pétur Jóhann Sigfússon, actor, screenwriter and comedian
2016 Andrea Magnúsdóttir clothing and fashion designer
2015 Karólína Eiríksdóttir composer
2014 Soffía Sæmundsdóttir visual artist
2013 Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir singer
2012 Þórunn Erna Clausen actress
2011 Ómar Guðjónsson musician
2010 Agnar Már Magnússon musician
2009 Laufey Jensdóttir visual artist
2008 Jóhann Sigurðarsson, actor
2007 Karl Ágúst Úlfsson, actor, director and writer
2006 Rúnar Helgi Vignisson writer and translator
2005 Sigurður Flosason musician
2004 Þuríður Sigurðardóttir, artist and singer
2003 Erling Jóhannesson, actor and director and Hallfríður Ólafsdóttir, flute and piccolo player
2002 Björn Thoroddsen musician
2001 Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir writer
2000 Jónína Magnúsdóttir, artist and Peter Tompkins, musician
1999 Margrét Ólafsdóttir, actor, and Steindór Hjörleifsson, actor
1998 Árni Elfar musician and artist
1997 Ármann Helgason, musician and Guðrún E. Ólafsdóttir, artist
1996 Arngunnur Ýr Gylfadóttir, visual artist, and Guðfinna Dóra Ólafsdóttir, choir director
1995 Hildigunnur Halldórsdóttir musician and Sigrún Waage actor
1994 Edda Jónsdóttir, visual artist, and Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir, visual artist
1993 Sigríður Sigurjónsdóttir art designer
1992 Bryndís Halla Gylfadóttir, cellist, and Pétur Bjarnason, artist
Town Artist of Garðabær 2025
Rules for grants to local artists
Article 1
Garðabær Town Council annually grants a grant to a local artist or artists, as determined in more detail each time when preparing the budget.
Article 2
The Culture and Museums Committee of Garðabær shall make a proposal to the municipal council regarding the award of grants to the municipal artist or artists, and it shall be assumed that proposals are received by the municipal council in May each year.
Article 3
The Culture and Museums Committee shall advertise for or request reasoned suggestions from individuals or artists' associations regarding the appointment of a municipal artist. The Committee is not, however, bound by such suggestions.
Article 4
Only those artists who have a legal domicile in Garðabær and have had a permanent residence there for at least twelve months are eligible for the award of grants.
Article 5
The allocation of working grants shall normally be made annually.
Article 6
The grant shall be in the amount determined by the municipal council each time when preparing the budget.
Article 7
The municipal council reserves the right to require the grantee to submit a report on the grantor's disposition, if requested. The report may take the form of the grantee submitting a text in written form or performing or reading a work in original performance or for original publication, depending on further agreement with the Culture and Museums Committee in each case. No separate payment shall be expected for the submission or performance pursuant to this article, but the grantee retains his copyright intact in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act.
Approved by the municipal council on April 12, 2012