The Finnish Museum of Photography’s gallery space offers five exhibition periods which will be selected through an open call with a guided theme. The gallery space is located in the museums premisses in Cable Factory and is a continuation of the formerly known Project space. The application period is open to all lens-based productions. You can apply alone or as a group.
For the period between January 2025 to January 2026 we offer 5 exhibition slots. The applicant may express their wish for 7-8 weeks a time period that is most convenient, but the Finnish Museum of Photography has the right to decide the order of the exhibitions.
The application period of open call is August 12 - September 1, 2024.
Theme of the open call 2025: Fabrics of Safety
Safety is something that everyone needs, many seek, and everyone has some kind of relationship with. Safety is sought in various things, including people, spaces, culture, activities, strength, violence, knowledge, faith, art, home, borders, substances, power, control, and love. The theme of the 2025 open call at the Gallery of the Finnish Museum of Photography is The Fabrics of Safety. Since safety consists of countless elements for both individuals and communities, its nature can be contemplated in many ways. What is safety and how is it formed? What is the relationship between the feeling of safety and reality and illusion? Can securitization ensure safety for everyone?
There are countless ways to approach the concept of safety, and we hope that this year's theme will inspire creators to approach it in as diverse ways as possible.
Information about the application process
The applications are submitted via email. The application must be compressed into one pdf file, which consists of the following information.
- Applicant's name, email address and phone number.
- Exhibition description, max. two sheets. The text must clearly state what type of exhibition it is, who is applying and, if possible, what does the exhibition consist of. Applicants may apply with projects which are still in planning phase. The text should clearly state the content of the exhibition plan.
- Image samples. If the exhibition is still in planning phase, the applicant may attach pictures from some of their previous projects. Note: If you are applying with an exhibition that contains moving image, add a link for viewing the work online.
- CVs of the applicant / applicants.
The size of the pdf file may be max. 10 megabytes.
Name the pdf file as follows: opencall2025_your name.
Please send your application between 12.8.-1.9.2024 to this address: soyoung.christina.chung@fmp.fi
What does the museum offer the chosen artists and other agents?
- The museum provides a free exhibition space for 7–8 weeks. Five exhibition projects are selected in the open call. The museum offers a compensation of 1,000 euros, which includes an artist fee and an exhibition fee. Otherwise, the museum will not financially compensate, for example, the production costs of the works.
- The museum's employees help in building and dismantling of the exhibition. The artist must be personally involved in the building and dismantling of the exhibition.
- The museum is responsible for monitoring the gallery space and for opening arrangements.
- The museum is responsible for the lighting and cleanliness of the space during the exhibition.
- The museum offers insurance for the duration of the building, dismantling and opening of the exhibition.
- The exhibitor is responsible for the transportation of the works and their own travel expenses.
- The museum does not insure the works during the transportation.
- The museum offers advice on applying for travel and work grants, when needed.
- The museum takes care of promoting the exhibition in the museum's own communication channels (e.g. websites, social media, newsletter, e-mail invitations) and informs the media about the exhibition.
- The museum does not provide the artists and other agents with paper invitations or posters, neither does the museum offer the mailing of these.
- The museum does not have AV equipment to offer.
The size of the gallery is 21 m² and the room height is 2.9 m.
Accessibility
The easiest way to get to the gallery is through the museum's main doors. The motorized front doors can be accessed via a ramp (approx. 9% slope). The pair of doors on the right opens with a button. The width of the doors is 160 cm.
The front doors lead to the lobby, from which there is an elevator to the gallery space. The elevator door is 130 cm wide and opens automatically.
The entrance to the gallery is 115 cm wide. The doors have no thresholds.
The museum's toilets are nongendered. The accessible toilet can be found in the museum's lobby.
You can borrow lightweight portable chairs from the lobby.
Entry for assistants is free. You can come to the museum with a guide or assistance dog.
More accessibility information can be found here:
https://www.valokuvataiteenmuseo.fi/en/visit-us/accessibility
How and when are the applications processed?
The applications are processed, and the selection is made by curators of the Finnish Museum of Photography Orlan Ohtonen, Päiviö Maurice Omwami, Tiina Rauhala and Farbod Fakharzadeh, Helsinki-based artist, curator and researcher.
The selection will be made in October, 2024. Applicants will be notified of the results via email.
Inquiries
Curatorial Intern Soyoung Christina Chung: soyoung.christina.chung@fmp.fi
Please read the instructions above carefully and send your application by 23:59 (EET) September 1, 2024 to soyoung.christina.chung@fmp.fi
