We identify and promote emerging trends in contemporary art

The Institute supports the internationalisation of Finnish contemporary art and helps artists to create international networks. We do this by organising exhibitions, artist residencies, talks and seminars. We work flexibly with a wide range of art forms, with a special interest in art activism and how art is used to tackle social issues. Organising artist residences and visits are an important part of our work, and our partners in this include The Wysing Arts Centre (Cambridge), SPACE (London) and the Temple Bar Gallery + Studios (Dublin). The residencies are different, aiming to offer opportunities for artist working with different mediums. Applications for the residencies are managed by our partnering organisation HIAP (Helsinki International Artist Programme). Our projects in this area also include MOBIUS, which is a fellowship program for visual arts professionals based in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Finland. The program enables mobility and collaborative practices and supports long-lasting professional relationships. MOBIUS is organised together with the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York (FCINY). We have also launched a new contemporary art prize, Below Zero, together with Beaconsfield Gallery and an anonymous benefactor. The prize offers an emerging Finnish talent a mentoring residency and a solo exhibition at Beaconsfield Gallery. The aim of the prize is to support new talent and create opportunities for collaborations between Finland and the UK. In addition, we organise art exhibitions together with a number of galleries and exhibition spaces, such as Purdy Hicks Gallery, Block336, Southbank Centre and Beaconsfield Gallery. Please find more information on our current projects below.

Video: 
Jussi TwoSeven @ Brighton Fringe Finnish Season 2018

Theme photo: Pilvi Takala “The Committee”, 2014, video. Courtesy of Carlos/Ishikawa.