Information about HAM

HAM, officially the Helsinki Art Museum, looks after an art collection that belongs to the people of Helsinki, which includes over 10,000 individual works of art. HAM maintains and curates this art collection, which also includes the city’s public artworks. In its domestic and international exhibitions held at Tennis Palace, HAM showcases modern and contemporary art.

Mission: Making Helsinki more fun through art.

Vision

HAM is a city-wide art museum.

Citizens of Helsinki enjoy and think highly of their art collection. Through public art, HAM offers surprises in the cityscape. The HAM premises at the Tennis Palace offer a distinct museum experience. HAM is strongly involved in the everyday life of Helsinkians, and together we find new ways of looking at life in Helsinki and beyond. HAM builds international interest in Helsinki. It is the most popular museum in Finland and reaches new audiences. HAM defines what an art museum can be.

Values

• Courage: We are curious, open-minded and not afraid to take a stand. We want to do things in new ways.
• Joy: We want to produce joy and meaningfulness. We facilitate encounters and innovations. Everyone is welcome to visit us.
• Presence: The Art Museum exists for the public. We want to create a good museum experience while listening to our customers. We bring art into citizens’ everyday lives.

HAM’s directors

Marja-Liisa Bell
(art secretary, curator, museum director) 1968–1993

Tuula Karjalainen
1993–2001

Berndt Arell
2001–2007

Janne Gallen-Kallela-Sirén
2007–2013

Maija Tanninen-Mattila
2013–2022

Arja Miller
2023–

HAM’s history

HAM at Tennis Palace

HAM’s ticket counter is located on the second floor of Tennis Palace. In the ticket lobby you can also find the HAM Shop, the cloakroom and a lounge. The exhibition facilities are located on the second and third floors. HAM’s newest facility in Tennis Palace is the HAM Corner, which is located at street level on the corner of Eteläinen Rautatienkatu and Jaakonkatu.

Art in Tennis Palace

UHO

Kari Cavén’s UHO (Unidentified Hanging Object) will welcome visitors at the escalator at the Eteläinen Rautatiekatu entrance. The hanging sculpture, made from steel bowls, is a part of the art collection owned by the people of Helsinki.

You don’t know how beautiful you are

The museum’s toilet facilities have been re-designed with Tuula Lehtinen’s mosaic work, offering an immersive experience. You don’t know how beautiful you are comprises tens of thousands of hand-painted ceramic plates painted in over 300 different colours.

HAM shop

HAM shop offers a colourful selection of design products, jewellery, postcards, posters, magnets, drawing materials, and fun gift ideas for children and adults. Many of our products are designed and made by Finnish craftspersons working in the Helsinki area. You will also find literature related to our exhibitions as well as HAM’s own publications. The HAM shop serves visitors online and on the first floor in Tennis Palace at the corner of Jaakonkatu and Eteläinen Rautatiekatu during museum opening hours Tue at 10.00–17.30, Wed–Sun at 11.30–19.00.