Soffía Karlsdóttir - Speaker

Beyond Boundaries: The Waterdrop Young Curators Initiative

Director of Culture, Kópavogur Municipality, Iceland

Abstract:

The Waterdrop is a collaborative project initiated by Kópavogur Municipality, bringing together four cultural institutions from the Nordic and Baltic regions. At its heart, the project empowers children to become curators — designing exhibitions and leading creative workshops that blend the timeless themes of Nordic children’s literature with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This participatory model encourages young people to explore global challenges — such as gender equality, climate action, and social responsibility — through artistic expression and cultural heritage. Over its 3.5-year lifespan, The Waterdrop engaged nearly 5,000 children and secured €450,000 in European cultural grants, proving how creative agency placed in the hands of children can bridge education, activism, and the arts.

About Soffía Karlsdóttir:

Soffía Karlsdóttir (She/Her) is Director of Culture in Kópavogur, Iceland, where she oversees four major institutions: Gerðarsafn – Museum of Contemporary Art, Salurinn – Concert Hall, Kópavogur Public Library, and the Natural History Museum. With over 20 years of experience in cultural management and public policy, she leads strategic development, communication, and audience engagement.

She is also the founder of Iceland’s largest cultural programme for children, The Waterdrop Project. Her work emphasises cultural accessibility, creative participation, and community impact across generations.

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