Finnish museum launches radical long-term artist support model

Espoo Museum of Modern Art (Emma) in Finland has launched a groundbreaking artist support program that provides financial, practical, and institutional backing over several years, far beyond typical exhibition cycles. Director Krist Gruijthuijsen aims to break with short-term, low-fee exhibition models, offering four artists—P. Staff, Tarik Kiswanson, Jenna Sutela, and Eglė Budvytytė—acquisitions, production funding, a one-year part-time stipend, and health insurance. Three of the artists are showing at the Venice Biennale with Emma's support. The program culminates in mid-career surveys in 2029 and 2030, planned for touring. Gruijthuijsen criticizes museums for risk-averse, generic programming driven by financial and board pressures. The initiative is funded by the Saastamoinen Foundation, the city of Espoo, the state, and museum fundraising. Sutela, representing Finland at the Venice Biennale, values the long-term continuity. P. Staff notes that many museum models are outdated, leaving artists in perpetual economic instability. Emma's model proposes a more responsive, artist-centric support system.