The Kirpilä Art Collection is launching a call for a curator or curatorial collective to plan and implement a spring salon of contemporary art, to open in May 2027.

The Spring Salon will be a contemporary art exhibition and/or performance project implemented at the Kirpilä Art Collection, engaging in dialogue with the museum’s permanent collection, salon-style hanging, and the cultural-historical context of the space.

Contentual theme: On the Romantic

The theme of Spring Salon 2027 examines the romantic in contemporary art, focusing on emotion, imagination and subjective experience, and on the meanings that romance and the romantic take on in the current age. The romantic may be expressed, for example, through nostalgic or historically inflected references, affective gestures, escapism, or through positions that oppose ways of thinking centred on rationalism and efficiency. The theme can be approached through queer and gender perspectives, or in relation to the myth of the artist, experiential modes of address, and personal relationships with the world, to name just a few examples.

Who may apply?

Individual curators or curator collectives / working groups may apply.
Applicants who live further away are asked to take into account their own travel practices and associated budget impacts in terms of the planning and hanging of the exhibition.

What are we looking for?

We hope that applicants will take into account the art scene across the entirety of Finland in their choices of artists. We value norm-critical perspectives and experimental curation that takes its context into consideration. We would like for exhibition proposals to engage in dialogue with the Kirpilä Art Collection’s intimate spatiality, salon-style hanging, and the permanent collection.

What are we not looking for?

We are not looking for pre-produced exhibition or performance entities or proposals based purely on the presentation of existing works. We want applications to be expressly designed for the space and context of the Kirpilä Art Collection.

Space and hanging

The Kirpilä Art Collection is located on the top floor of a 1934 apartment building. The space, which spans approximately 350 m², was originally the home of Doctor and Art Collector Juhani Kirpilä and Antiques Dealer Karl Rosenqvist. The former residential apartment now serves as a museum, in a space that is intimate, historically layered, and acoustically pleasing. The permanent collection limits how much the space can be modified. The rooms cannot be emptied entirely and requests to move the pieces in the art collection will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The home-like decor, routes, and original materials influence the hanging solutions available.

Accessibility:

Unfortunately the museum is not an accessible space. Please take into account obstacles to accessibility in the choice of pieces and exhibition design. More information about accessibility can be found here.

Technical solutions available

• video display and two projection screens;
• PA system, mixer and monitor system (microphones and cables included);
• spotlights that can be attached to rails;
• basic tools for minor hanging and finishing work.

A floorplan of the exhibition space can be downloaded as a separate PDF here.

Role and responsibilities of the curator

The curator will be responsible for the artistic design of the exhibition as a whole, the selection of artists, and the exhibition’s overall content in collaboration with the staff of the Kirpilä Art Collection.

The Kirpilä Art Collection will support the curator in communications, marketing, technical realisation, hanging of pieces, and dismantling of the overall exhibition, as well as in contractual practices in so far as its own practices permit.

The work of the curator will entail close dialogue with the organisation and management of the exhibition process as a whole, from idea to realisation.

Budget and fee

The chosen curator will be provided with a production budget of EUR 20,000, which is to include the curator’s fee.

The budget must cover, for example:

• artist fees and any artwork-specific production costs;
• transportation of artworks;
• any additional technical arrangements or specialist solutions.

The Kirpilä Art Collection shall be responsible, in so far as its own practices permit, for the basic production costs of the exhibition (hanging of works, dismantling, communications and marketing), and therefore these costs do not need to be included in the budget.

The cost structure presented in the application should be approximate and clear enough to allow for the feasibility of the project to be assessed.

Content of applications

Each application should be submitted by email to taidekoti@skr.fi as one PDF file (max. 6 MB, no more than five pages). The email subject line should follow the format: ‘Kirpilä Spring Salon 2027 – Application / First name Last name ’. The application should include the following:

• presentation and CV of the curator / collective of curators;
• an exhibition plan (max. one side of A4, font 11 pt, may include images) that sets out the artistic vision, relationship to the Kirpilä Art Collection and its collection, and link to the theme of the call;
• preliminary list of artists or creator profiles;
• description of working practices, preliminary schedule, and cost structure;
• link to examples of previous work (portfolio, photos, video/audio samples), if available;
• contact details.

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• curatorial and artistic quality;
• originality and how the application ties in with the theme of the call;
• feasibility in terms of the space and budget;
• relevancy of the selection of artists and cohesiveness of the overall whole;
• ability to take into account the audience relationship and context.

Schedule

Call open: 13 April – 8 June 2026 at 23:59 (Finnish time)

All applicants will be informed of the progress of the application process by 23 June 2026. The final selection of the successful curator or curator collective will be made by 31 August 2026.

The exhibition project will be started with the selected curator in autumn 2026 and a more precise production schedule will be agreed with the Kirpilä Art Collection.

Lisätiedot

More information

Please send any questions concerning the application process or exhibition space to taidekoti@skr.fi. Responses will primarily be given by email. Applicants can visit the Kirpilä Art Collection to familiarise themselves with the space free of charge during the museum’s opening hours: Wednesdays 14:00–18:00 and Sundays 12:00–16:00.

Photo: Jussi Tiainen

The Finnish Cultural Foundation awarded 784 grants, totalling €29 million, to support science, research and the arts. The largest individual grant of the October round, €800,000, was awarded for the opening exhibition of the National Museum of Finland.

From the Juhani Kirpilä Fund, the Kirpilä Art Collection Research Grant was awarded to Tiina Salmia, M.A. The grant supports her postdoctoral research on interactions between humans and non-human animals in the works of the Kirpilä Art Collection.

Other recipients of a grant from the Juhani Kirpilä Fund: Mirza Cizmic, Anna Estarriola, Joel Hilska-Heikkinen, Kaisa Huotari, Kuvataideopettajat kuvis ry, Pauliina Mäkelä, Frans Nybacka, Karoliina Paatos, Raimo Saarinen ja Kristiina Uusitalo.

Discover more: skr.fi

Anitra Lucander: Still Life with Flowers
Photo: Rauno Träskelin

The finalists of The Most Beautiful Books 2025 have been announced – Seppo Fränti: Third Life has been selected into a wonderful lineup in the Non-fiction and Textbooks category.

The publication, which focuses on art collecting, was produced in late 2025 to accompany the Third Life exhibition presented at Kirpilä Art Collection.

Explore all finalists here.
The book is available for purchase at the museum for €10.

Credits:

Graphic design: Tytti Halonen, Tino Nyman

Texts: Pia Hyttinen, Sanna Lipponen, Johanna Ruohonen

Translations: Elävä Kieli


Production: Mia Dillemuth

Photographs: Helen Korpak

Images of Artworks: Jussi Tiainen; Petri Virtanen & Kirsi Halkola (Finnish National Gallery)

Print: Tallinna Raamatutrükikoda

The spring season at Kirpilä consists of performance art, concerts of classical and contemporary music, themed guided tours, and drawing evenings.

The programme introduces key artists represented in the collection, as well as the museum’s interior and porcelain collections. In addition, guided queer tours highlighting perspectives on diversity will be organised throughout the spring, along with new guided tours in plain Finnish and plain Swedish.

Detailed event information will be published early in the year – follow our channels and stay tuned!

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Concerts

The Mystic Revelation of Teppo Repo
Thu 5 Feb, 5–6 pm
Ringa Manner
Thu 5 Mar, 5–6 pm
Aili Järvelä & Sigurður Rögnvaldsson
Thu 26 Mar, 5–6 pm
Anna-Sofia Anttonen
Thu 7 May, 5–6 pm
Singers of the Mirjam Helin Academy
Thu 21 May, 5–6 pm
Sibelius Academy Lied Concert
Thu 11 Jun, 5–6 pm

Free admission. Advance registration opens two weeks before the event on the event page.

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Performances

FORMICA FUSCA – Puhetta ja laulu muurahaisista
A new multidisciplinary work lodging at the Kirpilä Art Collection invites audiences into the world of ants.

Concept, choreography, direction and performance: Sanna Kekäläinen
Text: Kari Hukkila
Vocals: Janne Marja-aho

Thu 9 Apr, 6–7 pm
Sat 11 Apr, 4–5 pm
Thu 16 Apr, 6–7 pm
Sat 18 Apr, 4–5 pm
Thu 23 Apr, 6–7 pm
Sat 25 Apr, 4–5 pm

Language: English / Finnish
Price: €10
Ticket link available from 19 Feb on the event page.

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Themed Guided Tours

Eija Olsson: Pekka Halonen – The Snow King
Wed 21 Jan, 5–6 pm
Eija Olsson: Oriental Rugs and Antique Furniture of the Kirpilä Art Collection
Wed 11 Feb, 5–6 pm
Reima Lehtonen: Kirpilä Art Collection’s Porcelain Collection
Wed 25 Mar, 5–6 pm
Elina Vieru: Hej Åke! Glimpses into the Art and Life of Åke Mattas
Wed 8 Apr, 5–6 pm
Riitta Ojamaa: Bold Role Models – The Women Artists of Kirpilä
Wed 13 May, 5–6 pm

Language: Finnish
Free admission, no advance registration.

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Drawing Evenings

Drawing Evenings offer a hands-on way to explore the museum’s collections through changing themes. Each session includes a short (approx. 15 min) introduction to the Kirpilä Art Collection. Instructor: Riitta Ojamaa, Kirpilä guide and art educator.

Wed 1 Apr, 5–7 pm
Wed 15 Apr, 5–7 pm
Wed 29 Apr, 5–7 pm

Language: Finnish
Price: €8
Advance registration opens two weeks before the event on the event page.

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Guided Queer Tours

Sun 19 Apr, 2:30–3:30 pm (Finnish)
Sun 24 May, 2:30–3:30 pm (Finnish)
Thu 25 Jun, 5–6 pm (Finnish)
Sun 28 Jun, 2:30–3:30 pm (English)
Guide: Antti Solin

Free admission, no advance registration.

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Public Guided Tours

Guided tour in Swedish
Sun 25 Jan, 2:30–3:30 pm
Guided tour in plain Finnish
Wed 25 Feb, 5–6 pm
Guided tour in plain Swedish
Wed 11 Mar, 5–6 pm
Guided tour in plain Finnish
Wed 22 Apr, 5–6 pm
Guided tour in plain Swedish
Wed 6 May, 5–6 pm
Guided tour in English
Sun 31 May, 2:30–3:30 pm
Guided tour in plain Finnish
Wed 10 Jun, 5–6 pm

Free guided tours in Finnish are offered on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 pm and on Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

Free admission, no advance registration.

Elga Sesemann, Self-Portrait, 1944
Photo: Rauno Träskelin

The Kirpilä Art Collection website is now more visually engaging and accessible. Warmly welcome to explore our spring and summer events, such as the Kuvan Kevät performance day, the FloweRescue flower bouquet workshop, and our guided tours with seasonal themes. You’ll also find the latest updates, including an introduction to our upcoming museum director, MA Heta Kaisto.

We’ve also added brand new content! Kirpilä Studio is a curated online gallery featuring a rotating selection of artists. The first contributor is photographer Sandra Kantanen, who has created a photo triptych inspired by the art collection and the museum surroundings.

The Behind the Scenes series offers a glimpse into the everyday life of the museum – for example, the work of an art conservator.

The website was developed by Redandblue, and the visual identity was designed by N2 Albiino.

We hope you enjoy our new website and easily find all the information you need for your visit.
We’d love to hear your feedback – feel free to send us a message at taidekoti(at)skr.fi.

Sandra Kantanen, Ikkuna 2: Kastanjankukat, 2025
Kirpilä Studio

Heta Kaisto, MA, will start as Senior Advisor to the Finnish Cultural Foundation and as Museum Director of the Kirpilä Art Collection on the 1st of June 2025.

Until starting at the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Kaisto will continue in her current position as Curator of the Rauma Art Museum, where she has served since 2019. Kaisto has previously worked, among others, at the City of Lapua’s museums and the Finnish National Gallery. She has also been involved in various multi-arts research projects and is an active writer and lecturer.

“In addition to her vision and experience, Heta Kaisto has an extensive network of artists and excellent connections within the Finnish museum scene and the art sector. Our aim is to promote the role of art in society and for that we need the best experts available,” says Susanna Pettersson, CEO of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

“For me, the Kirpilä Art Collection represents humanism and a warm way of encountering and working with the public. I very much appreciate this opportunity to develop my skills and knowledge as an art and museum expert, together with the Kirpilä team and the entire network of the Finnish Cultural Foundation. I believe that museums play an increasingly important role in strengthening Finnish culture in our time. I also see art in a very practical way as a part of society and the network of various organisations,” says Kaisto.

Photo by Heidi Piiroinen

A self-portrait by the Danish artist Peder Severin Krøyer (1851–1909) has been discovered within the Kirpilä Art Collection. Dated 1899, the work was previously attributed to Krøyer’s Finnish contemporary, Sigfrid August Keinänen (1841–1914).

The small (20.5 cm x 17 cm) self-portrait was made using the drypoint engraving technique on paper, and has been on display in the Kirpilä Art Collection’s Portrait Room for the last few years. It is signed “SK Jan-99” at bottom right. Our archives show that the art collector Juhani Kirpilä (1931–1988) purchased the work, believed at the time to be a self-portrait by Sigfrid Keinänen, in 1983, as part of an extensive portrait collection sold by the Hyvinkää-based collector Urho Laiho (1909–1991). It was also displayed in the exhibition Omakuva (“Self-Portrait) at Galerie Finnforum in Helsinki between 17 November and 2 December 1979. The basis for the original attribution is unknown.

Confirming the actual author of the work was ultimately very easy, by comparing the artists’ signatures. Keinänen used to signed his works “SAK” or “S. A. Keinänen”, whereas Krøyer’s “SK” signature and handwriting match the ones on our portrait. The reattribution was finally confirmed by curator Mette Harbo Lehmann of Skagens Museum in Skagen, Denmark.

Skagens Museum is home to a significant collection of artworks by Krøyer, including three prints of the etching found at Kirpilä. One of the prints is signed “P S Krøyer” in pencil, in addition to the engraved “SK” signature.

Peder Severin Krøyer was born on 23 July 1851 in Stavanger, Norway, from where he soon moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, with his foster parents. He took up art studies privately at the age of nine. In 1870, Krøyer graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and he enjoyed the patronage of the German-born Danish tobacco magnate and art collector Heinrich Hirschsprung from 1874. Krøyer travelled around France, Spain and Italy between 1877 and 1881, thanks to a scholarship from the art academy and financial support from Hirschsprung. Studying in Paris under the French artist Léon Bonnat had a pivotal impact on his style. On his return to Denmark, Krøyer settled in the country’s northernmost part, Skagen, whose artistic community would be an important source of support for him in the following years. Krøyer is known in Denmark and internationally for his depictions of ordinary people, as well as for his blue-toned Skagen landscapes that often incorporate members of the local artistic community, including his wife, the artist Marie Krøyer (née Triepcke). Krøyer died in Skagen on 21 November 1909, at the age of 58.

Juhani Kirpilä is said to have avoided buying foreign art because it was harder to confirm its authenticity and origins; in this case, what he had bought as a Finnish artwork has been revealed to have been authored by a foreign master. This increases the number of non-Finnish artists included in the collection from four to five, and adds the first Danish work to the collection.

We are very grateful to Arto Isotalo for first bringing the misattribution to our attention.

Image: Peder Severin Krøyer, Self-Portrait, 1899 / Kirpilä Art Collection

The October application round marks the first time the Finnish Cultural Foundation received over 10,000 applications. As a result, grants totalling over 30 million euros were awarded to support science, the arts, and culture.

The Juhani Kirpilä Fund distributed a total of 360,000 euros in grants to 12 applicants this year, including the first ever Kirpilä Art Collection Research Grant, available for application to PhDs for research related to collecting art, collectors’ collections, memorial houses or artists in the collection of the Kirpilä Art Collection. This four-year research grant was awarded to M.A. Elina Sairanen for studying Finnish art museums founded by private collectors from the 1880s to the 2020s.

Other recipients of grants were M.A. Maija Blåfield, M.A. Timo Bredenberg, M.F.A. Sonja Donner, M.F.A. Elina Juopperi, M.A. Sirkku Rosi, M.A. Essi Kausalainen and workgroup, M.F.A. Mikko Luostarinen, MSSc Sini Rinne-Kanto, M.F.A Pavel Rotts, M.A. Elina Sairanen, M.A. Niina Villanueva and M.F.A. Camilla Vuorenmaa.

The Juhani Kirpilä Fund is based on a bequest made by Juhani Kirpilä (28.9.1931-3.8.1988), a Licentiate in Medicine, from his collection of over five hundred artworks, his home and other assets. The Foundation maintains The Kirpilä Art Collection as an art museum free of charge to the public and supports the visual arts and their research.

Congratulations to all grant recipients!

Photo: Kirpilä Art Collection archives