Finnish museum creates a new and radical support model for artists

""I want to break with the cycles of announcing a year's programme, working with three-month shows and giving artists a symbolic fee of €10,000 when you know they're working their asses off practically full-time," says Krist Gruijthuijsen, the new director of Finland's largest art museum, Espoo Museum of Modern Art (Emma)."

"The museum has committed to supporting four artists over the next several years-P. Staff, Tarik Kiswanson, Jenna Sutela and Eglė Budvytytė-in four distinct ways: acquiring their work throughout the period; financially supporting external production; providing a part-time stipend for a year to alleviate financial pressure; and covering health insurance for a year. Three of the artists, for instance, are showing at the Venice Biennale with support from Emma."

"The programme will culminate in mid-career survey exhibitions at the museum in 2029 and 2030, which it plans to tour with partner institutions. "With each of these artists there is a real commitment," Gruijthuijsen says. "And we as a museum also have a real commitment to them.""

"Each of the four artists is already highly visible, but success today does not guarantee a viable career. Institutional and critical recognition bears little relation to financial reality. Museum and biennale shows are expensive to produce and pay poorly. The market has become increasingly conservative, largely sidestepping practices that do not centre painting. Globalisation of the art industry means artists are travelling more to make ends meet, presenting their work in different contexts but rarely given opportunities to take risks."

A Finnish museum is creating a long-term artist support model that extends beyond short exhibition cycles. The museum will back four artists over several years through multiple forms of support. It will acquire their work throughout the period, provide financial support for external production, offer a part-time stipend for one year to reduce financial pressure, and cover health insurance for one year. Three of the artists will also receive support for participation in the Venice Biennale. The program will culminate in mid-career survey exhibitions at the museum in 2029 and 2030, planned to tour with partner institutions. The approach responds to the gap between visibility and financial stability in contemporary art.

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