The story of Rovaniemi Art Museum began on 17 October 1986, when the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation donated their art collection to the City of Rovaniemi. Over the years, the collection of the Wihuri Foundation has grown from about 500 to almost 3,500 works and is now one of the most significant collections of Finnish contemporary art. It provides a comprehensive picture of the development of Finnish art from the 1940s to the present day, of the changing materials and ever-growing range of techniques. The collection, which is growing every year, can be explored in several different themed exhibitions, and the e-collection is freely available to customers.

In Rovaniemi Art Museum the world unfolds from a northern perspective. Museum, referred as a hidden gem of Lapland, offers high quality exhibitions from all around Arctic.  Collection presented in a myriad of changing theme exhibitions lets you explore the most influential Finnish contemporary art. The variety of visiting exhibitions give a comprehensive view of the visual creativity of the Arctic regions.

A comprehensive and accessible art education programme with workshops is planned in connection with the exhibitions. Art research and outreach are carried out in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lapland and the Rovaniemi Art Museum Friends association.

Rovaniemi Art Museum is a museum with regional responsibility in Lapland

Rovaniemi Art Museum has been awarded the position of a museum with regional responsibility as of 2020. The region comprises 12 municipalities in Lapland: Enontekiö, Inari, Kemijärvi, Kittilä, Pelkosenniemi, Posio, Ranua, Rovaniemi, Salla, Savukoski, Sodankylä and Utsjoki.

Rovaniemi Art Museum is tasked with serving as an art expert as well as promoting regional cooperation, the recording of cultural heritage and digital accessibility. Rovaniemi Art Museum advises and guides municipalities, parishes, artists, art associations and enthusiasts, and researches and documents Lappish and Sámi art together with the University of Lapland. 

Rovaniemi Art Museum Friends

The Rovaniemi Art Museum Friends association was founded in 2005. The members are involved in the activities of Rovaniemi Art Museum by supporting museum work and art research. The association has nearly a hundred members. The members want to promote the status of visual arts and serve as a link between the museum and the public.

The association raises funds for the art museum’s outreach work and organises lectures, artist meetings and other events in various areas of visual arts.

Members receive discounts on publications produced by the art museum and products in the museum shop, with the exception of works of art.

Membership fees
Basic member €20/year
Pensioners, unemployed, students €10/year
Lifetime member €150/one-time payment
Supporting member (community, company) €100

Ask for more information and become a member:
hilkka.liikkanen(a)live.com