Singer-songwriter Mugison was given the highest grant on Tuesday from recently-founded music fund Kraumur, ISK 4 million (USD 53,000, EUR 34,000) for overseas concerts and promotion. The purpose with the fund is to support the careers of Icelandic musicians.
The second-highest grant was given to pianist Víkingur Heidar Ólafsson, ISK 1.5 million (USD 20,000, EUR 13,000) and the third highest to female indie band Amiina, ISK 1.2 million (USD 16,000, EUR 10,000), DV reports.
Minister of Education, Science and Culture Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir presented the grants.
Other artists and bands who were rewarded on Tuesday were Celestine, Dikta, Elfa Rún Kristinsdóttir, FM Belfast, Skakkamanage and Ólöf Arnalds, who each received ISK 500,000 (USD 6,700, EUR 4,300).
At the ceremony, managing director of Kraumur Eldar Ástthórsson (best-known as manager of the Iceland Airwaves festival), introduced three projects the fund is working on: concerts in Iceland’s countryside, better access to recording studios and nominations for the album of the year.
Tuesday’s grants were only the first of many; within the next three years Kraumur will present musicians with a total fund of ISK 50 million (USD 666,000, EUR 427,000).
