The Art of Acquisition: Public Commissions in Finland

Did you know that in Finland there’s a State Art Commission (Valtion taideteostoimikunta), appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, that is in charge of acquiring works of art for government properties and buildings in government use? Works are commissioned directly from artists and acquired through competitions and purchases. The Finnish National Gallery oversees the Commission. Acquisition decisions are made by a committee consisting of eight members, each in the term of office for three years.

On Wednesday, September 17th, Globe Art Point is organising a panel discussion exploring the processes behind acquiring public art in Finland. In addition to presenting the main state body responsible for public art acquisitions Valtion taideteostoimikunta, the discussion will also highlight other schemes and organisations that offer artists opportunities to participate in various competitions, enabling them to have their artworks displayed in public spaces across Finland or sold to private art collections.

Hanna Hannus – Head of Communication at The Artists’ Association of Finland

PhD Leevi Haapala – Dean, Academy of Fine Art, University of Art, Helsinki

Henna Paunu – Chief Curator, Collections at Espoo Museum of Modern Art

Moderated by architect and curator, Dr Mika Savela.

Tekstin talo, the House of Text, is a new literary community and multifunctional space for text culture, located in Helsinki, in Sörnäinen, on Lintulahdenkatu 3, 00530 Helsinki. Tekstin talo

It is easy to get here by public transport. For more information, see the HSL Route GuideLink to an external website, Is opened in a new window.

By metro

The nearest metro station is Sörnäinen, which is 600 metres from Tekstin talo. From Hakaniemi metro station, it is 900 metres to Tekstin talo.

By tram

Coming from the city centre, the nearest tram stop is Lintulahti (H0311). Tram lines 6 and 7 stop there, and it is about 100 metres from the stop to Tekstin talo.

Coming from Sörnäinen, the nearest tram stop is Sörnäinen M (H0312). Tram lines 6 and 7 stop there, and it is about 200 metres from the stop to Tekstin talo.

By bus

Coming from the city centre, the nearest bus stops are Haapaniemi (H2405) and Haapaniemi (H2407). The following bus lines stop there: 61, 64, 65, 66, 67, 600, 611, 714, 617, 623, 633, 643, 665N, 71, 73, 74, 74, 77, 78, 79N, 711, 717, 718, 721, 731, 738, 739.

Coming from Sörnäinen, the nearest stop is Haapaniemi (H2406). The following bus lines stop there: 61, 64, 65, 66, 67, 600, 611, 714, 617, 623, 633, 643, 665N, 71, 73, 74, 74, 77, 78, 79N, 711, 717, 718, 721, 731, 738, 739.

By car

There is no visitor parking. There are a few free parking spaces nearby on Lintulahdenkuja. Paid parking is available, e.g., on Lintulahdenkatu and Kaikukatu.

The accessible entrance of House of Text is located at Lintulahdenkatu 3 (picture 1). The other entrance is located at the Kaikukatu courtyard. The entrance to Kaikukatu is not accessible due to steps leading to in from all directions.

House of Text does not have customer parking. There are many parking spaces nearby. There are parking spaces in front of the accessible entrance, so it may be difficult for taxi to get right in front of the entrance.

The entrance door (width 1 m) has an electric opening mechanism that works with a button (picture 2).

The premises of House of Text are located on the first, fourth and sixth floors of the building. Each floor has an accessible toilet, detailed information below.

When entering the lobby, there is a floor sign board directly in front of the door. The stairwell and elevator lobby are located behind the door on the left side of the lobby (viewed from the main entrance, picture 3). The width of the door is 87 cm (can be opened to 110cm) and the height of the threshold is 2 cm. The door has an electronic opening mechanism that works with a button.

For more information about accessibility of the first floor and Permanentosali, please visit: Accessibility | Tekstin talo

• This event is a discrimination-free and harassment-free zone.
• Do not assume anything. Ask, listen and discuss.
• Treat every individual with dignity and respect.
• Act honestly, truthfully and with integrity.
• Avoid conflicts. Every disagreement can be solved peacefully.
• Be transparent and accountable for all of your actions.
• If you face any issues or experience violation to this guideline, please contact the organisers of the event.

Host or Publisher Globe Art Point