Museology and the Icelandic museum field. Collaborations and development

• Published in: Nordisk Museologi
• Main Authors: Whitehead, Gudrun, Hafsteinsson, Sigurjón Baldur
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Oslo Library 2018
• Subjects: museums; museology; Iceland; collaboration; research; heritage; The National Gallery of Iceland
• Online Access: https://journals.uio.no/museolog/article/view/6402; https://doi.org/10.5617/nm.6402

Since the birth of the Icelandic museum in the nineteenth century they have played a vital role in the local heritage sector. Starting as expressions of national pride during the independence movement from Denmark, the three central museums, the National Museum of Iceland, The National Gallery of Iceland and the Icelandic Museum of Natural History, have played a vital role in the professional work of museums. They promote collaboration and institutional development, most recently by enabling the establishment of Museology at the University of Iceland. Tracing the history of the museum field, this article seeks to demonstrate the vital role of museums within museology at the University of Iceland. With continued collaboration, museum professionals and the museum studies program can promote positive change in the Icelandic heritage sector.