On August 15th, Iceland Music hosted an event to honor the recipients of the second allocation from the new Music Fund. This marked the first time that grants were awarded across all divisions of the fund.

Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs, delivered a brief address to those in attendance and congratulated the grant recipients. María Rut Reynisdóttir, Director of Iceland Music, introduced the fund's new improvements to the application process, including increased support for applicants. Guests enjoyed light refreshments and a performance by Mikael Máni, who played his song 'Expiration Date.'

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It's a great cause for celebration to see how many exciting projects received grants, and it is equally delightful to hear from the grant committees about the number of promising applications. The challenge of selecting grant recipients is a strong indicator of the vitality within the Icelandic music scene. Iceland Music provides an excellent framework offering a wide range of services and opportunities, which I encourage everyone to explore. They offer advice on grant applications and a place to seek inspiration and professional expertise from top specialists.

– Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Culture and Business Affairs

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A total of 364 grant applications were submitted, with 97 million ISK available for distribution. Grants were awarded to 111 projects, including four long-term contracts:

• Nordic Affect Ensemble receives 2.5 million ISK over two years (2025-2026) for their concert program.
• Iceland Airwaves receives 6 million ISK over three years (2024-2026), for “Sustainable showcase - The Future of Iceland Airwaves“.
• The Icelandic Composers' Society (Tónskáldafélag Íslands) recieves 4 million ISK over two years (2025-2026), for Dark Music Days.
• Hlutmengi receives 3 million ISK over two years (2024-2025), for the concert program at Mengi.

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The highest Music Grant from the Creation and Release Department is awarded to Daníel Bjarnason, receiving 2.9 million ISK, and to Nýdönsk, receiving 2 million ISK.

The highest Performance Grant from the live performance department is awarded to the Chamber Orchestra Elja, they receive 1.5 million ISK. Additionally, Mugison, the South Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Helgi Rafn Ingvarsson, and the Akureyri Symphony Orchestra each receive 1 million ISK

The highest Business Grants in the Development and Infrastructure department are awarded to VibEvent, OPIA Community, the Siglufjörður Folk Music Festival, MetamorPhonics, WindWorks in Norðri, the Reykjavík Early Music Festival, Múlinn Jazz Club, LungA, Ascension MMXXIV, and BIG BANG, each receiving 1 million ISK.

The highest Marketing Grants from the Export Department go to ADHD with 2 million ISK and viibra with 1.5 million ISK.

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For the complete list of awarded grants, click here >>

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