Building

The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands is a ten-minute walk from the city centre. If visitors are driving, they simply have to follow the signs. If visitors are on foot, they reach the Museum from the city centre via Viðarlundin park. The National Gallery of the Faroe Islands is housed in a black-painted building complex in the northern part of the park, surrounded by four bronze sculptures by Hans Pauli Olsen.

The Museum comprises two sections. There is an exhibition venue dating from 1970, ‘Listaskálin’, constructed on the basis of sketches by J.P. Gregoriussen.

The second section is a major extension dating from 1993, containing galleries, a lobby and offices, designed by Niels F. Truelsen with the participation of Gregoriussen.

The oldest part of the Museum, ‘Listaskálin’, is a simple black-painted block with a pent roof and skylights. Today, its large exhibition gallery is used for temporary exhibitions.

The 1993 extension, which houses the Museum’s permanent collection, consists of a number of pavilions with saddle and pyramid roofs. With its black-stained exterior and multiple gables, the building is reminiscent of traditional Faroese boathouses, while the style of the interior is simple, featuring a wooden-tiled floor.

The lobby accommodates visitor facilities, including free Wi-Fi, and the chance to buy books, posters and postcards related to the Museum’s works and temporary exhibitions. The lobby is also a place to enjoy a cup of coffee, while taking in the beautiful view of the surrounding plantation.

The construction of the new building was funded with both public and private contributions:

Føroya Landsstýri, Tórshavnar Kommuna, Listafelag Føroya, Fossbankin, Bókhandlarin Hans og frú Kate Niclasen - Dronning Margrethe og Prins Henriks Fond, Augustinus Fonden, Beckett-Fonden, Knud Højgaards Fond and Velux Fonden.