HAM launches an open call and organises a portfolio day for professional artists interested in public art

Application period October 13 – November 14, 2025

We invite professional artists and artist collectives interested in public space and site-specific practices to submit their portfolios to HAM. We encourage submissions from artists of varied backgrounds, from anywhere in Finland. All forms of artistic expression, from photography to sculpture, performance to media art, are welcome.

This open call is not specific to any particular site or project. Our goal is to expand and diversify our knowledge of artists working in Finland interested in creating public art.

Based on the portfolios, a selection of artists will be invited to participate in HAM’s Portfolio Day on January 26, 2026. The aim of the day is to bring artists and public art experts together to exchange ideas and discuss the portfolios. Participants will meet HAM’s curators and Museum Director Arja Miller, as well as experts from other art organisations.

” With our choices HAM aims to promote the versatility of contemporary art and foster diversity within the art field. The portfolio open call enables us to expand our insight into the wide range of artistic practices, especially in the context of public space,” says Museum Director Arja Miller.

HAM Helsinki Art Museum serves as the art expert and curator for all of City of Helsinki’s Percentage for Art projects. The city commissions artworks for new and renovated public buildings, such as schools and daycare centres, as well as for public outdoor spaces. Over the coming decades, several new public artworks will be commissioned for developing city districts such as Malmi, Meri-Rastila, Läntinen Bulevardikaupunki, and Kalasatama.

Read more and see the submission instructions