Heta Kaisto Appointed Director of the Kirpilä Art Collection and Senior Advisor to the Finnish Cultural Foundation

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