Museums and exhibitions

KAMU – Espoo City Museum is a museum of cultural history founded in 1958. Through its collection and exhibitions, it illustrates the history of the City of Espoo and its residents. The purpose of the City Museum is to protect, research and record the history and cultural heritage of the Espoo area and its residents in many ways and present and share it with today’s people.

Website of the City Musem

EMMA presents Finnish and international modernism, modern art and design. The minimalist and modern architecture of WeeGee, designed by architect Aarno Ruusuvuori, allows for the collections and changing exhibitions of EMMA, Saastamoinen Foundation and Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation to be displayed in an experience-focused way.

Website of EMMA(external link)

WeeGee Exhibition Centre is a versatile museum, exhibition and event hub. WeeGee operates in the old Weilin&Göös printing press building designed by Professor Aarno Ruusuvuori (1925–1992) in Tapiola, Espoo.

Website of WeeGee

Designed and built by the artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865–1931), the castle-like Tarvaspää studio and residence was opened to the public in 1961 as the Gallen-Kallela Museum. In its changing exhibitions, the museum showcases the life and art of Gallen-Kallela and his contemporaries, as well as modern art. The museum offers a wide range of activities and events and serves as a centre for information on Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

Website of the Gallen-Kallela Museum(external link)

Helinä Rautavaara (1928–1998) was a quirky explorer, journalist and collector who toured the world tirelessly. She wanted to see, experience, understand and participate in the life of various communities.  The collection and stories of Helinä Rautavaara come alive in the museum. Rautavaara compiled Finland’s largest collection of West African items, tens of thousands of photos, hundreds of hours of audio recordings and dozens of hours of cine film. The museum continues Rautavaara’s legacy by bringing different people together and promoting understanding and dialogue between cultures in many ways.

Website of the Helinä Rautavaara Museum(external link)

Located in the yard of the Exhibition Centre WeeGee in Tapiola, Espoo, the museum Leikki is dedicated to childhood, toys and play. The museum offers interesting, nostalgic and touching cultural experiences for all ages. Both with its insightful temporary exhibitions and with its surprising main exhibition, Laboratory of Play, the museum acts as a mirror of childhood in different times.

Website of Leikki(external link)

The new Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery Kruunu brings current and thought-provoking exhibitions related to watches and jewellery to anyone interested in the field. The museum also highlights handicraft and you can try the work of a watchmaker or a goldsmith in various workshops at the museum. Frequently changing exhibitions guarantee that there is always something new to experience! The museum will open 14.4.2022. 

Website of Kruunu(external link)

The exhibition operations of the Espoo Visual Artists Association are concentrated in Gallery Aarni. The gallery showcases modern art in exhibitions that change every four weeks. The facilities of Gallery Aarni also house the Espoo Artotheque which offers a wide variety of works by professional Espoo-based artists. Key parts of the operations include exhibitions, opening ceremonies, discussion events, school groups’ visits and cooperation with other operators in the culture sector.

Website of the Espoo Visual Artists Association(external link)

Villa Elfvik was built in 1904 as a private home. The building has served as an environmental education centre since 1992. Long Live Espoo, the permanent exhibition at the nature house, introduces visitors of all ages to Espoo’s diverse nature. The temporary exhibitions focus on nature and sustainable lifestyles from various perspectives. Exhibitions can also be borrowed from the nature house.

Website of Villa Elfvik