Hafnarborg is home to a vibrant exhibition programme and activities, where visitors can enjoy visual art, music, and a diverse range of cultural events. The museum also places an emphasis on education and research, which serve to deepen the understanding and experience of the art itself.
Hafnarborg’s exhibition programme is diverse, spanning everything from national treasures by the pioneers of Icelandic art to the innovative and experimental works of contemporary artists. Each year, 8–10 exhibitions are held that highlight different perspectives and themes within Icelandic visual art.
Lectures and guided tours are a regular part of the museum’s programme, creating a space for conversation about the art and its context. This gives visitors the opportunity to meet artists and curators, learn about their processes, and deepen their understanding of the works on display.
Art Workshops
Hafnarborg’s Art Workshops are designed to foster creativity and introduce the public to visual arts. The materials and focus of the workshops are diverse, often linked to the exhibitions currently on view at Hafnarborg.
In My Language
In My Language (Á mínu máli) is an event programme focused on making Hafnarborg more accessible to people of different backgrounds by welcoming guests to the museum in various languages. The workshops often draw inspiration from cultural traditions and artists from different origins. This project is supported by the Museum Fund (Safnasjóður).
Summer Courses
Every summer, Hafnarborg offers summer courses for children aged 6 to 12. Emphasis is placed on play and creation, where the fundamentals of visual arts are introduced through explorations, observations, and experiments. Participants work with various media— drawing, painting, and sculpting—with the goal of strengthening visual perception, promote creative thinking, and support each individual’s personal expression.
Research & Publications
Hafnarborg has published numerous exhibition catalogues, books, and pamphlets since its founding. These publications stand as independent documentation long after the exhibitions close and contribute to the academic dialogue regarding the museum’s diverse subject matter.
Eiríkur Smith Career research
Hafnarborg has conducted extensive research on the career of Eiríkur Smith. In 1993, art historian Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson wrote an article for Hafnarborg’s anniversary publication in which he examined Eiríkur’s 1990 gift to the museum and placed his work in an artistic context. More research on Eiríkur’s work has followed, and Hafnarborg has published several works on the artist’s career.
In 2008, a comprehensive analysis of all works by Eiríkur in Hafnarborg’s collection was initiated, also carried out by Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson. The research findings are publicly accessible on Sarpur, the Icelandic Museums’ Collections Web. Following this research, a series of five exhibitions were mounted, each examining a specific period in the artist’s career, curated by Ólöf K. Sigurðardóttir. In the autumn of 2015, a major retrospective book was published, featuring images and text on Eiríkur’s life’s work.
