The Music Fund awards ISK 56 million to 58 projects in its second allocation of 2025 – See The Photos

June

2025

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On Thursday, 12 June, a reception was held at Iceland Music for the recipients of the second round of The Music Fund's allocations in 2025. Musicians, industry professionals, fund representatives, and other guests came together to celebrate the allocation - the third since the fund was established last year.

A total of 386 applications were received, and just over ISK 56 million was allocated to 58 projects.

María Rut Reynisdóttir, Director of Iceland Music, welcomed guests and grantees, noting the ever-growing number of applications to the fund. At the same time, emphasis has been placed on avoiding small grants, opting instead to award fewer but larger grants. As a result, only 15% of applications to the fund currently receive support. “The goal should be to raise that figure to 30%. Because while we refer to these as grants from the Music Fund, it would be more accurate to describe them as investments in new opportunities, works, and projects within music,” said María Rut.

Following this, Hanna Mía Brekkan performed a few songs for the attendees before Minister of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education Logi Einarsson addressed the group and spoke about the importance of nurturing Iceland’s music ecosystem:

“Icelandic music is an invaluable part of our cultural identity. It strengthens our society, supports the Icelandic language, and brings joy and depth to our daily lives. Although we are facing demands for fiscal restraint in public spending, it is crucial to ensure a strong environment for musicians to continue creating and sharing their work. The creative power within Icelandic music is a treasure we must protect – even in times of challenge. Iceland Music plays a key role in this and is doing incredibly strong work; work that was established with great ambition and deserves to thrive. That way, the added value this activity generates – not only for the musicians themselves, but for all of us as a nation – can continue to grow.”

After the Minister's speech, representatives of the allocation committees shared their results, and the recipients of the highest grants were presented with flowers and warm congratulations from the Minister.

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Styrkhafar og myndir

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Ólöf Arnalds (on behalf of Skúli Sverrisson) accepts flowers from Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education.

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The highest Music Fund grants in the Creation & Release division were awarded to GRÓA, Arnór Dan, Ingibjörg Guðlaugsdóttir, and Skúli Sverrisson, with each receiving between ISK 1.5 and 1.75 million.

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Ólöf Arnalds (on behalf of Skúli Sverrisson), the band GRÓA, Ingibjörg Azima, and Arnór Dan pose with the Minister.

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The highest Live Performance grants were awarded to the chamber choir Schola Cantorum and the ensemble Umbra, each receiving ISK 1.5 million. In addition, a long-term agreement has been made with the chamber choir Cantoque, amounting to ISK 3 million.

Alongside Cantoque, the following projects currently hold long-term agreements under the Live Performance division:

Nordic Affect – ISK 2.5 million (2025–2026)
Caput – ISK 6 million (2024–2026)
Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra – ISK 5 million (2024–2026)
Cauda Collective – ISK 1 million (2024–2025)
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Benedikt Ingólfsson, Alexandra Kjeld, and Arngerður María from Umbra, along with Þórunn Vala Valdimarsdóttir.

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The highest Business Grants in the Development & Infrastructure division were awarded to Iceland Sync Creative and Vaka Folk Arts Festival, each receiving ISK 2.5 million. In addition, WindWorks í Norðri received ISK 2 million.

No new long-term agreements were made in this round within the Development & Infrastructure division, but the following projects currently hold valid long-term agreements in 2025: