Creative summer jobs gain worldwide attention

The Icelandic Music Awards and the Solveig Anspach European Art Award are among the highlights of the Creative Summer Jobs scheme in Hafnarfjörður. Ten creative young individuals are behind seven exciting projects run by the Creative Summer Jobs scheme this year.

The projects are varied. A computer game about Hafnarfjörður and a short film for children are in production, paintings are being made, singing, dance pieces and exhibitions about the Hafnarfjörður Marine Museum are being created. It operated until 1987 and housed kangaroos, orcas, polar bears, lions and apes.

Excellent results from the work

„Creative Summer Jobs in Hafnarfjörður has been running for the past four years with great success,“ says Klara Elías, project manager for Creative Summer Jobs and a musician.

„Young people have flourished in these roles in recent years, gaining global attention. The projects have received numerous accolades, such as the Icelandic Music Awards for Music Video of the Year 2022 and the Solveig Anspach European Art Awards for Best Director of the Year,“ she says.

„They have received nominations for numerous awards at international and Icelandic film festivals, for example for the Edda; screenplays have been staged and performed in theatres, and have continued to be a hit long after the summer jobs are over.“

Artists boost their careers

The artists are aged 18-25. They have prepared themselves for a career in the field in which they are working this summer.

Klara is proud of the outcome and the important role the work has played. Disabled young people from Kletturinn and Vinaskjóll have, for example, been an important part of the work groups, as has young people who are not in education or employment. They have returned to activity through this creative work.

„As a result, they have gained the confidence to return to the job market or to education. Creative summer jobs have therefore been an important link in enhancing the cultural life of Hafnarfjörður and promoting a healthy, inclusive society for all,“ she says.

A brief introduction to the projects

/ ARTISTS 2024

1.

Brynja Valdís Waage

/ Fine art

Working on six pieces this summer, all drawing inspiration from the nature of Hafnarfjörður.

Brynja is holding an exhibition of her work in Hellisgerði at the beginning of August.

2.

Sölvi Snær Einarsson

/ A video game about Hafnarfjörður

A computer game is being developed about Hafnarfjörður, which takes you through the town's main landmarks. It features interesting facts about Hafnarfjörður, and the characters in the game are named after famous people from the town. The game will be launched at the end of the summer and will be available to everyone.

3.

Reynir Snær Skarphéðinsson and Jun Gunnar Lee Egilsson

/ A short film about elves in Hafnarfjörður

/ Children's content

Write, produce and direct a children's short film about the adventures of Árún when she meets trolls, elves and other hidden creatures during her summer visit to her grandmother and grandfather in Hafnarfjörður. The film will premiere in August.

4.

Iris Ásmundsdóttir, Benedikt Gylfason and Hanna Hulda Hafþórsdóttir

/ The performance art group Þríradda

The performance art group Þríradda is staging a show at Hafnarborg on 12 August, where different art forms, dance, music and video are interwoven.

IG: @3_radda

5.

Svanhildur Júlía Alexandersdóttir and Hildur Arna Hrafnsdóttir

/ The GOLA flute duet

Flutistesses travelling around Hafnarfjörður this summer to play, entertain the residents and introduce the art of the flute to the townspeople. They played at the Austurgötuhátíð festival on 17th June, among other events, and will be visiting nurseries, care homes, cafés and other busy places in the town throughout the summer. IG: @golaflautur

6.

Logi Guðmunsson

Dance film works and ballet

Logi is working on a dance video project set in Hafnarfjörður, while also promoting his unique story as the first and youngest ballet dancer from Iceland to study at the world-famous San Francisco Ballet School.G: @ballett.more.ballett

7.

Rán Sigurjónsdóttir

/ An exhibition about the Marine Museum in Hafnarfjörður

Rán is studying graphic design at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and uses her technical and artistic skills to explore the Marine Museum in Hafnarfjörður. She speaks with the museum's staff and visitors, uncovering the story behind this controversial and historic museum of Hafnarfjörður.