Open call: Gallery Exhibition
Annantalo celebrates its 40th anniversary under the theme of light - we are calling for exhibition proposals for the season 2027–2028
Application period: 1 June – 30 September 2026
The exhibition or work can represent any art form. Both individual artists and working groups can apply. You can propose a finished work, a work in progress or a body of work. The call for applications is not restricted to professional artists.
You may propose an exhibition to the upstairs gallery or a work for a group exhibition in the gallery downstairs.The duration of the gallery exhibitions is 3–6 months and the duration of the collective exhibition is over 8 months. Among the proposals 3–5 gallery exhibitions and 3–8 artists for the collective exhibition will be selected for the programme. A group exhibition may also be proposed to those applying for a gallery exhibition.
Call for applications
Submit your exhibition proposal using this form. The link will forward you to a Webropol form. The form can be filled either in English or Finnish.
The link to the form will open on 1 June 2026 at 12.00 and close on 30 September 2026 at 23.59. You can submit your application in Finnish or English.
Applications sent via the form must include:
- a concise description in a few sentences
- images of the work/proposal and links to any video/audio works
- a preliminary hanging plan (a draft will suffice – what will be in the space, how the works will be placed)
- an optional explanation of the work’s background, objective and connection to Annantalo’s target groups
- details about your technical needs and any material requirements (what the artist already has, what they want from Annantalo)
- any ideas that you have for side programming (would you like to hold a workshop, performance, lecture, discussion event, etc. during the exhibition)
- your CV or other optional attachment material.
Those who are selected for an exhibition or participation in the collective exhibition will be paid a fee of EUR 900–1,200. Additionally, Annantalo staff will participate in the hanging of the exhibition, organise the opening ceremony and, if necessary, provide technical equipment and stands for the works. A separate fee will be paid for any side programming (workshop, performance, etc.).
Annantalo staff will review the applications and assess their feasibility and suitability for Annantalo. The final selections will be made by the Annantalo student jury.
All applicants will be informed of the results before the end of the year.
Annantalo’s exhibition activities
The exhibitions at Annantalo always feature art created by both professional artists and children and young people. The exhibitions are organised in collaboration with artists, organisations and schools. The aim is to offer a wide variety of art forms as extensively as possible.
The main target groups of Annantalo’s exhibitions are children in early childhood education (ages 4–6) and primary school (ages 7–12), but the exhibitions also provide interesting and diverse art content for young people and adults.
The exhibitions have an art educational purpose. They relate to the world of children and young people and introduce visitors to subjects such as contemporary art through different themes, participation and playfulness. The themes emerging from the exhibitions are also examined as part of the teaching at Annantalo, and the exhibitions are often accompanied by open programming such as workshops, guided tours and events. Annantalo’s knowledgeable staff are always ready to help creators who are not familiar with working with children and young people.
Annantalo provides many people with their first visit to an art exhibition or gallery. Accordingly, our aim is to make it as easy as possible. You can always ask any staff member for advice. The gallery has an exhibition etiquette guide, which explains the protocol for visiting exhibitions. There is also a brochure available in the downstairs gallery with more information about the exhibition, as well as inspirational material.
Annantalo’s exhibitions are generally implemented through an annual open call for applications. It enables children and young people themselves to participate in the selection of exhibitions.
Things to consider in your proposal
- In your application, you should pay particular attention to images and the concise description required. They should make it clear what the proposal is and what it contains.
- Avoid using complex language in your application, especially in the concise description.
- The content does not have to be easy or made especially for children, but when it comes to sensitive topics, you should think about how to express them to a child audience. All exhibition content must be suitable for minors as well.
- There is no separate exhibition supervisor in the exhibition facilities. This should be taken into account in the hanging plan.
- The exhibition is always open during the opening hours of Annantalo (generally Mon–Fri at 9.00–20.00 and Sat at 10.00–16.00, closed on Sundays).
- The exhibition spaces are located at the ends of the second floor of the building. The exhibition can be held in either the South or North Gallery. The collective exhibition will be held in the Big Gallery downstairs.
South and North Gallery
- The corridor-side wall and the outer wall of the galleries consist of windows. The other two walls are panelled and works can be attached directly to them.
- Parts of the exhibition can be placed in the corridor, which has hanging rails along the walls.
- All galleries have a fixed sound system (stereo, 4 fixed speakers) and a fixed light rail (light equipment including mini profiles available). All of the North Gallery and most of the South Gallery can be made completely dark.
- You can visit the premises independently during opening hours.