Janne Gallen-Kallela-Sirén, Tuula Haatainen, Richard Armstrong, Jussi Pajunen and Ari Wiseman. Photo: Pertti Nisonen

Helsinki commisions the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to explore the possibility of a Guggenheim Museum in Finland. The Guggenheim Brings its global expertise to Finland’s capital to study how the nation might enhance its place in today’s cultural world.

At a news conference today at Helsinki City Hall, Mayor Jussi Pajunen and Deputy Mayor Tuula Haatainen announced that the City of Helsinki has commissioned the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to conduct a concept and development study, exploring the possibility of creating a new Guggenheim Museum in Finland. Richard Armstrong, Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum, joined in making the announcement with the Mayor.

The study, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011, will explore topics including the possible mission and structure of an innovative, multidisciplinary art museum in Finland, the form that its exhibition and education programs might take, its prospective relationship with Helsinki’s existing visual arts institutions, the museum’s potential economic impact and the scope of the Guggenheim Foundation’s involvement in its operation. Beginning from a deep consideration of program and purpose, the study will seek to imagine what a museum of the 21st century might be.

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Did you know? There are already four Guggenheim Museums: in New York, Bilbao, Berlin and Venice. Abu Dhabi will open in 2013.

What do you think about getting our own Guggenheim here in Helsinki?