Kjarvalsstaðir

About the museum

Kjarvalsstaðir stands at Klambratún, one of the few outdoor recreation areas in Reykjavík designed as part of the city's artistic culture. In 1964 the city council decided to lay out a park with a sculpture of the poet Einar Benediktsson and to build an art museum with a café there in honour of the painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval, who would turn eighty the following year. Kjarval took the first spade of earth in August 1966, but he died the year before the building was opened for use.

The building was designed by Hannes Kr. Davíðsson and opened in 1973. It is the first building in Iceland designed specifically for art exhibitions. It consists of two wings connected around a courtyard and is built of exposed concrete (sjónsteypa) and corten steel. Windows run from floor to ceiling and open onto the garden.

Kjarval bequeathed a large collection of his artworks and personal belongings to the City of Reykjavík, and works from his collection are always on display at Kjarvalsstaðir. There are also exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and architecture by Icelandic and foreign artists. The museum is one of three buildings of the Reykjavík Art Museum (Listasafn Reykjavíkur), together with Hafnarhús and Ásmundarsafn, and the same ticket is valid for all of them.

Highlights

• Works by Jóhannes S. Kjarval from the city's collection
• The first building in Iceland designed specifically for art exhibitions
• Building by Hannes Kr. Davíðsson in exposed concrete and corten steel
• Hvammur, a children's and family space in the east end of the building
• Klambrar Bistrø and a view over Klambratún

Permanent exhibition

• Verk Jóhannesar S. Kjarvals – Works from Kjarval's collection are always on display at Kjarvalsstaðir, as he bequeathed a large collection of his artworks to the City of Reykjavík.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Listasafn Reykjavíkur

Admission & discounts

The same ticket is valid for all three houses of the Reykjavík Art Museum (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn). The annual pass is valid for all exhibitions and events unless otherwise stated, and gives 10% off in the shops and 5% off at the restaurant at Kjarvalsstaðir. The Reykjavík Culture Card gives access to the Reykjavík Art Museum and the Reykjavík City Museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The building is on one level, so lifts are not needed. The main entrance on the Flókagata side has a ramp and an automatic door, and staff lay a ramp over the threshold when necessary. Two disabled parking spaces are directly in front of the main entrance. One wheelchair is available to borrow and is stored in the cloakroom. Toilets for disabled people are in the corridor to the right of reception, and all toilets are gender-neutral. Guided tours in sign language and audio description for blind and partially sighted visitors are offered regularly. The museum also advertises special opening times for autistic people and people with sensory processing difficulties, when lighting and sound are adapted to the group. The exhibition halls are the quietest spaces, although some video works have sound. Benches are generally available in all exhibition halls.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

The Reykjavík Art Museum offers the family programme “Leikum að list” (Let's Play with Art), with workshops and events. Hvammur is a children's and family space in the east end of the building, with books and materials for creating things related to the exhibitions. Food from Klambrar or packed food can be eaten there, but visitors take their packaging with them. Sometimes a scavenger hunt through the exhibitions is offered. Pushchairs can be left at the museum and light buggies borrowed, but large pushchairs are not allowed in the exhibition halls. Children under 18 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Klambratún by Flókagata. Bicycle racks are in the courtyard in the middle of the building.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Klambrar Bistrø serves food and coffee. The museum shop is to the right of reception. Cloakroom and lockers for bags and backpacks are by the shop; large bags, backpacks, umbrellas and bulky items are not allowed in the exhibition halls.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit