A community of ideas. For the village and for the world.
2019 was the second full year of operation for the Blue bank. The experiment developed and progressed. This year the Blue bank bacame a destination, not only for it’s immediate surroundings but for organizations and individuals from around the world.
See our annual report in English here:
2019.blabankinn.is
The Blue Bank innovation decelerator is for entrepreneurs and creators from anywhere in the world who dare to venture in a different direction. Read more and apply.
Documentary film making workshop was held at the Blue Bank recently. Film maker Trude Ottersen from Koko Film and film consultant Ingrid Dokka from the North Norwegian Film Centre came from Tromso in north Norway to teach and guide. 16 participants attended, some with film projects to work on while others attended as observers. The ones with film projects got some valuable advise, comments and input into their work, enabling them to continue on their journey towards a fully produced documentary film. The observers got a chance to brainstorm on their own ideas and get comments on a future project.
The enjoyment level was high and hopefully this was just the beginning of a long and fruitful cooperation between the Blue Bank and Icelandic and north Norwegian film makers.
We believe that the Blue Bank in Þingeyri is the ideal place to come and get stuff done, learn and be inspired. That’s why we have organised 3 different reasons for you to come and spend some time with us in the Westfjords of Iceland in 2019.
1. Documentary Film Workshop, January 30th – February 3rd
Do you have a documentary film project that has been waiting too long unedited on a hard drive? Then here is something for you.
In collaboration with Klapp kvikmyndagerð, the Blue Bank invites you to participate in a four day documentary film workshop guided by Norwegian film makers Trude Ottersen (Sealers / Ishavsblod) and Lisa Marie Kristensen. Through presentations of some of their work you’ll get inspiration for your own project and through brief seminars you’ll gain insight into the art of storytelling, dramaturgy and documentary film production. Last but not least there will be plenty of time to sit down and discuss your own project and edit under the guidance of experienced documentary film makers.
Check out site for more details: http://www.blabankinn.is/workshops/documentary-film-workshop/?lang=en
2. Creative Writing Workshop, February 28th – March 3rd
In collaboration with Hversdagssafn – museum of everyday life, we will host a four day Creative Writing workshop with award winning writer Jenny Valentine and sailing poet Emma Beynon
During the workshop you will be introduced to a range of writing activities to develop your skills. The key elements of description, sense of place, narrative and finding your voice will all be covered. We will write, read, talk, imagine and explore together, using activities designed to help you tap into your own experience and environment, working across a wide range of genres.
Check our site for more details: http://www.blabankinn.is/creative-writing-workshop/?lang=en
3. Startup Accelerator,
Our last year’s accelerator was a big success, so we’ll do a 2nd round in 2019. The accelerator has been rescheduled to September 2019.
Spend 10 days with a group of like-minded people and focus on your idea or project in the Westfjords, one of Iceland’s most beautiful and remote locations. You’ll get the opportunity to meet other innovators and creators as well as mentors, and a chance to share your skills and knowledge with them.
Check our site for more details: http://www.blabankinn.is/workshops/startup-accelerator/?lang=en
Please e-mail us to enquire or sign up.
The Bluebank was awarded a special recognition for Innovation in Public Service and Administration. Prizes and recognitions were awarded at the Conference on Innovation in Public Service and Administration 2018 – “Better Public Service with Effective Co-operation and Use of Digital Solutions” held Friday, 9 June 2018 at the Grand Hotel in Reykjavik.
Continue reading “The Bluebank awarded a special recognition”
Landsbanki’s cash services
The Blue Bank is responsible for Landsbanki’s cashier service at Þingeyri, The service is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1 pm – 2 pm.
Ísafjörður Municipality’s service
The Blue Bank is a link between the people living in Þingeyri and Ísafjörður Municipality. Kristján Þ. Ástvaldsson, employee of Ísafjörður, receives requests and provides assistance on various services that Ísafjörður provides, Arnhildur Lilý Karlsdóttir, employee of the Blue Bank, provides support and assistance for the electronic applications system of Isafjordur. The employees of the Blue Bank also receive special requests and direct them to the appropriate departments within the Municipality.
Verk Vest, worker’s union of the Westfjords
The Blue Bank answers questions regarding the services of the Workers’ Union of Westfjords, Verk Vest, and directs special requests to the appropriate person for resolution.
Ísafjörður Library
In the premises of the Blue Bank is a small fraction of the library of Þingeyri. A computer in the open space of the Blue Bank provides an open link to the library in Ísafjörður through Leitir.is where books can be ordered with assistance from the employees of the Blue Bank.
Midday Meditation
On Mondays and Wednesdays the Blue Bank offers a free 15-minute meditation and a quiet time for guests and by passers at 1.15 p – 1.30 pm.
Facilities
The Blue Bank offers two different areas. On the ground floor is the creative communal area which is open to everyone. There people can meet up for coffe and chat, read, work or create. On the upper floor of the house, the Blue Bank offers collaborative space, where you can rent a desk and office facilities in a bright and beautiful space.
SANDRA DE CLERCQ trainer and a master in Organizational Psychology conducts a workshop on Enneagram, a neutral psychological model for personal growth, 13 – 16 November in the Bluebank. During this workshop you will discover the nine defense mechanisms that people automatically adapt since birth. You will gain consciousness about your own basic fears and desires and will understand why you keep doing the same thing, even when you realise this is not always the best answer given the situation. You will understand that we all have a subjective view on reality and that it is impossible for us to know the truth. Once we see this, we take a lot of annoying behavior of other persons no longer personal. We start realizing it is not about us… that we are all just suffering and defending ourselves in our own way and that there is a way out once we become conscious. Continue reading “Enneagram Workshop 13-16 November”
20th of September will be the grand opening of the Bluebank. We are delighted to invite you to come and celebrate with us, have a look at the space, sit down, talk and exchange ideas.
The celebration will start at 16:00 with opening talks from representatives of the project, followed by a fish barbecue which the local sports club Höfrungur will prepare.
Continue reading “Grand Opening of the Bluebank”
A cooperation agreement between partners and the Blue Bank was signed recently. The cooperation was launched rather powerfully, as the signatures followed the first explosions of tunnel that is to come between Dýrafjörður and Arnarfjörður. Continue reading “Cooperation agreement signed”