PRESS INVITATION: Ars Fennica 2027 Nominees Announcement at Kiasma

The €50,000 Ars Fennica Award is Finland’s most prestigious contemporary art prize. Presented every two years by the Niemistö Art Foundation Ars Fennica, the award recognises artistic excellence and a distinctive creative vision. Previous nominees have included artists from Finland, the Nordic and Baltic countries, and the St Petersburg region.

A joint exhibition featuring the nominees will open at Kiasma from October 15, 2027 to March 26, 2028. The winner will be announced in February 2028. Following its presentation at Kiasma, the exhibition will travel to Kunstsilo in Kristiansand, Norway. Representatives of Kunstsilo will also be present at the press event.

The Niemistö Art Foundation Ars Fennica was established in 1990 to spark interest in the arts by creating new international connections for Finnish art, supporting artists in their creative work, and fostering a wider public appreciation of art.

Announcement of the Ars Fennica 2027 Nominees

Date and time: Thursday, 10 September 2026, 12 noon
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Mannerheiminaukio 2, FI-00100 Helsinki, Finland
Register: kiira.koskela@kiasma.fi

The award panel responsible for selecting the nominees and international expert is chaired by Leena Niemistö, MD. The other members are Museum Director Kiira Miesmaa (Kiasma), Museum Director Arja Miller (HAM Helsinki Art Museum), art critic Sanna Lipponen, and Head of Collections Else-Brit Kroneberg (Kunstsilo, Norway).

The award panel appointed by the foundation has selected the four shortlisted artists and appointed the international art expert who will choose the winner. The name of the international art expert will also be announced on 10 September 2026.