STARA - 14.11.2015, Blaðsíða 34

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We pay artists
Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir
Chairman of SÍM
Yes, there is a chance to apply for
a grant from the Visual Art Fund.
Maybe you will get an artist stipend
for six months, and then you might
win a competition for a public art
work, or get a chance to create work
in a public space from The Public
Buildings Art Fund. If you work
long and hard enough, you will end
up being invited to host a private
exhibition at the National Gallery
of Iceland. Every bit counts and
you harbour a tiny hope that you
will be able to pay the rent, afford
an education for yourself and your
children, and put food on the table.
After a successful private exhibition
in a public art gallery you realize
that not everyone is equal. Everyone
gets paid - the museum director, the
museum representative, the cura-
tor, cleaners and technicians and
so on – everyone that is except the
artist. On top of that, The Visual
Art Fund has been cut by 33%, from
52 million ISK (current currency) to
35 million ISK. The Public Build-
ings Art Fund is empty with regards
to grants for older buildings. No
effective supervision exists to make
sure the laws are being followed
concerning the allocation of 1% of
the total production costs for new
public buildings towards works of
art within the buildings or their
surrounding area. The artist stipend
is below minimum wage and the
number of months they are allotted
for has stalled since 2012.
After six years of art studies at university level, a short reality
shock ensues while you ask yourself how you will make a living
in this field. Then you check yourself and review the situation.
Photo Jú l ía Runól f sdót t ir