The University community has a lot to offer to stimulate and enrich its members as they go about their work. Works of art from the University Art Collection adorn all University buildings and leave their impression on them. The collection was established in 1980; it owns a large number of works by acknowledged artists. Beautiful statues can be found in many locations on campus, the most famous of which is probably the statue by Ásmundur Sveinsson which can be found in front of the Main Building. University Concerts and exhibitions University Concerts are held regularly throughout the academic year; with performances from many of the nation's leading musicians. The concerts are usually held on Wednesdays and admission is free. University buildings regularly host various interesting exhibitions; the University Centre is, for instance, ideal for that purpose. Art Collection The University of Iceland Art Collection was established in 1980, around works of art donated by Sverrir Sigurðsson and his wife Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir. The collection's charter was certified by the President of Iceland in April 1980. The University of Iceland Art Collection is responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the founding donation and other works in its possession, and for encouraging research into Icelandic art history. The museum also organises exhibitions, both of its own collection and in collaboration with others. A special division of the collection is named Þorvaldssafn, for painter Þorvaldur Skúlason, as his works are central to the founding collection, which amounted to 140 pieces in total. Works of art from the University of Iceland Art Collection can currently be found in 33 locations in the University area; the displays are changed regularly. The main tasks of the Board and Head of the University of Iceland Art Collection are to preserve, build up, and publicise as possible the extensive and valuable body of work in the Collection's possession, e.g. by organising exhibitions and forming a strategy for purchasing additional works of art. Kristján Steingrímur Jónsson (email: kristjansteingrimur@hi.is) is Head of the University Art Collection. The University of Iceland Art Collection Fund, which was established on the 90th birthday of Sverrir Sigurðsson on 10 June 1999, is meant to strengthen research into Icelandic visual arts in days of old and modern times. For further information about the fund contact Helga Brá Árnadóttir, Division of Marketing and Public Relations (tel: +354 525 5894, email: helgab@hi.is). facebooklinkedintwitter
