Hafnarborg operates an Artist-in-Residence programme, with a guest atelier and work space on the third floor of the museum building at Strandgata 34, in the town of Hafnarfjörður. Established in 1986, the Hafnarborg programme is the oldest artist residency of its kind in Iceland. The programme welcomes foreign and local artists of various disciplines, being ideally suited for creatives looking for inspiration in a calm environment.

The atelier is 80 square metres, being divided into a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, bathroom and work space, suitable for smaller projects. The apartment is fully equipped with utensils and appliances, linen, towels, washing machine, dryer, and wireless internet. The apartment is located in the heart of Hafnarfjörður, close to the main bus stop in town, making commuting to Reykjavík easy.

To apply for the programme, please download and fill out the form below. The application must include a CV and images of at least five works by the applying artist (sent as attachments, i.e. not in the main body of the email itself). Please email all applications to [email protected], marked “Residency Application”. All documents shall be sent as PDF, DOC or ODT files (i.e. not as a Pages file) and images shall be sent as attached JPGs or as part of a PDF presentation (i.e. not embedded in the email body).

The guest atelier is allocated for one month at a time, beginning with the second day of each calendar month and ending with the second to last (January 2nd to January 30th, for example). However, there is no requirement that artists stay for the entire duration of the residency. The residence fee is 500 euros per month, with payment being due at least three months prior to arrival. This fee includes electricity, heating and internet connection.

Download application form here.

Hafnarborg accepts applications on a continuous basis, having a year-round open call for residencies. Keep in mind that the residency is normally booked at least one year in advance, as spots at the programme are in high demand, especially during the high season. Please make sure to follow the instructions for applications, as stated above, regarding format of documents and images. Applications that do not comply with these standards will not be evaluated.