Institutions
Kiasma
The Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 1998 in a curving building by the American architect Steven Holl, and holds the national collection of art from 1960 onwards.
Amos Rex
Opened in 2018 beneath Lasipalatsi square, its domed skylights rise from the plaza and have become a playground for visitors.
EMMA
The Espoo Museum of Modern Art, located in the former Tapiola Cultural Centre, with a large collection of Finnish modern art.
Helsinki Biennial
Held on the island of Vallisaari, the biennial places contemporary work in a former military landscape, linking art with the nature of the archipelago.
Trends since the 1970s
- 1970s–80s – Conceptual, installation and performance practices open the field; artist groups and the Academy of Fine Arts nurture a new generation.
- 1990s – Video and photography rise to prominence, as the Helsinki School of Photography, associated with the Aalto University, attracts international attention.
- 2000s – Artists such as Eija-Liisa Ahtila, known for multi-screen video installations, and the media artist Pilvi Takala exhibit worldwide.
- 2010s onward – Ecological themes, Sámi artists' perspectives, and collaborative practices become central, alongside a lively scene of printmaking and ceramics.
Illustration, comics and design
Tove Jansson (1914–2001) is best known for the Moomin books and comic strips, but she was also a painter and muralist, and her work is shown in museums in Tampere and beyond. Finnish illustration, comics and animation have grown into a distinctive scene, with festivals, small presses and educational programmes across the country.
Architecture today
Contemporary Finnish architecture continues the tradition of Aalto and Saarinen, with competitions for libraries, schools and churches. The Oodi Central Library in Helsinki, opened in 2018, is among the best-known recent examples, and timber construction is enjoying a revival as part of a push for low-carbon building.
Practical notes for visitors
- Many museums offer free or reduced entrance on certain evenings; check opening hours before you travel.
- Regional museums in Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Kuopio hold collections of high quality and are often less crowded than the capital.
- Summer festivals bring exhibitions to unexpected places, from old factories to island forts.