Reykjavík Museum of Photography is the only independent museum of photography in Iceland.  The museum is located on the sixth floor of Grófarhús.(see map) Founded as a private enterprise in 1981, the museum has been run by the City of Reykjavík since 1987. The purpose of the museum is to collect, catalogue and preserve photographic material, i.e. photographs, glass plates, negatives and slides, and articles and documents relating to photography.

The Museum's aim is to establish itself as a museum of photography in an international context and to awaken the interest of the public and of experts in photography and photographic culture.  The objective of the museum is to improve understanding of photography, its cultural role and its value both as a historic resource and as art. 

The Museum carries out research and promotes study of photography in all fields, such as conservation, the history of photography and art history. It provides scholars and professionals with facilities for a wide variety of study in photography. The museum also offers museum visits and instruction for all educational levels.

The Museum of Photography has the task of recording the contemporary history of Reykjavík on film, and systematically acquiring photographs on the history of the city. The museum has its own studio which processes photographs for the museum and for outside clients.(see pricelist) The museum provides guidance and service to the public, businesses and public agencies in the field of photography.

The museum holds a number of photographic exhibitions each year, both individually and in collaboration with other bodies. The museum has three fixed exhibition periods each year in the exhibition room on the 6th floor of Grófarhús: in February, during the summer, and in November.

The Museum of Photography stores its photographic material in tailor-made storage facilities, designed in accord with the strictest standards of conservation. The museum also has its own specialised conservation workshop.  

Reykjavík Museum of Photography on Flickr Commons

The Reykjavik Museum of Photography has joined The Commons on Flickr in order to increase public access to its collections of photographs and for educational purposes.
The images from the Reykjavík Museum of Photography on The Commons have no known copyright restrictions. The museum does not allow that the photos shared on The Commons will infringe upon the rights of third parties, as yet unknown, who may own the rights to these works. You are required to determine and satisfy copyright and other use restrictions that may apply to these works.

The copyright of the Magnús Ólafsson photos has expired and they are free to use. Anyhow, when you use a photo from Flickr Commons we would appreciate if you make a reference to the photographer and to the Reykjavík Museum of Photography.
To see the Reykjavík Museum of Photography images on The Commons please follow this link http://www.flickr.com/photos/reykjavikmuseumofphotography/. For obtaining high quality reproductions of the original physical image please go to our Photography collection and to purchase high-quality reproductions of the original photo, please contact photomuseum@reykjavik.is .

What is The Commons on Flickr?

The key goals of The Commons on Flickr are to firstly show you hidden treasures in the world's public photography archives, and secondly to show how your input and knowledge can help make these collections even richer.
You're invited to help describe the photographs you discover in The Commons on Flickr, either by adding tags or leaving comments.

Staff

María Karen Sigurðardóttir, Museum Director. maria.karen.sigurdardottir@reykjavik.is Kristín Hauksdóttir, Head of Collection. kristin.hauksdottir@reykjavik.is Jóhanna Guðrún Árnadóttir, Head of Exhibitions and Education. johanna.gudrun.arnadottir@reykjavik.is Sigríður Kristín Birnudóttir, Head of Photo-processing. sigridur.kristin.birnudottir@reykjavik.is