Public Art Policy for City of Espoo is published

City council of Espoo has approval of the new principles of public art at its meeting on May 13th, 2019. For the first time in Espoo, the program outlines the key guidelines and objectives for public art in the second largest city in Finland. The program defines recommendations, for example, for setting up a cross-government working group on public art, for drawing up regional art programs, and for financing art. The program was built by Public Art Agency Finland in collaboration with the city of Espoo.

In addition to creating outlines for general policies, the program also explores the possibilities and potential of public art through pilot cases for two different neighbourhoods in Espoo - Matinkylä, and Kera.

Matinkylä

is known as a small village inside Espoo, with lots of greenery and access to seashore

Kera

is the neighbourhood of the future, to be built on the site of an old industrial area during 2020-2040

Despite the growing numbers of public artworks built in the city every year, there have not, until now, been any city wide principles concerning public art in Espoo. This program is the first step towards creating the structures that enable the growing interest in public art to be met in a sustainable way, with best available practices.