After Berlin, Rio de Janeiro and New York, the new Director of EMMA felt drawn to Espoo

Since the beginning of October 2025, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art has had a new Director. The CEO of EMMA is Krist Gruijthuijsen, who grew up near Weert in the Netherlands. Krist has enjoyed a brilliant career in a number of countries around the world. He felt that Espoo still had something new to offer, however. 

"I considered where I would like to be right now. Where can I learn more? What makes Finland fascinating is that like Japan, it’s kind of slightly apart from others and not quite the same as the Scandinavian countries in my opinion. Whereas EMMA is a perfect mix of architecture and nature,” Krist explains his motives for applying for the new role.

Krist says he has visited Finland often since 2005, all the while building a network in this country. A contact in Kiasma eventually gave him the tip to apply for the position in EMMA. Krist found the process with EMMA's Board of Directors productive, and as an ambitious person, finally decided to take on the role.

Krist Gruijthuijsen is a curator and author known for his artist-centric and experimental approach to curation and programme planning. Krist’s educational background is as varied as his subsequent professional life: he completed his Bachelor’s degree in visual arts in Maastricht, the Netherlands, followed by post-graduate art studies in the Belgian city of Antwerp as well as Stockholm and London. 

"When I was young I wanted to be a stage actor. By coincidence, however, I ended up at the Art School in Maastricht and switched to visual arts,” Krist describes his background.

Krist’s studies and career have taken him to fascinating cities around the world, including Istanbul, New York, Rio de Janeiro and Porto. 

In addition to his role at EMMA, Krist is currently also a visiting curator in Kunsthaus Zurich, where he is preparing a retrospective of artist Paul Thek. 

"I have kept an eye out for Thek's works around the world. Thek died during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, and it is important to also draw attention to the art of marginalised groups.” 

In 2016–2024, Gruijthuijsen was the Director of KW Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin. Prior to this, he managed Grazer Kunstverein in Graz (2012–2016) and was Director of Sandberg Institute’s Master’s Degree Programme in Fine Arts in Amsterdam (2011–2016). He was also one of the founders of Kunstverein in Amsterdam (2009–2012). Krist Gruijthuijsen has been appointed as EMMA’s new Museum Director (EMMA 25 May 2025) (external link, opens in a new window)

The new Director stresses the uniqueness of Espoo. 

"Espoo must be like Espoo, the same as Graz in Austria. Graz is not Vienna, and Espoo is not Helsinki. We have to open out and tell the world about the things we are proud of. Both of these cities also have a large and growing immigrant population, which should be taken into consideration better,” Krist points out. 

Krist wants to keep culture at the centre of everything. 

"Youth, technology and sport are key factors in Espoo. Many artists have moved here, and the cultural institutions are of high quality. Culture is not only entertainment, it is also at the core of the economy. I would focus on fundraising rather than on symbolic cutbacks. I would invest in marketing and make more use of public spaces, especially outside Tapiola, which perhaps is a slightly elitist cultural hub,” Krist expounds his ideas.

Krist would like to develop the visitor experience at EMMA further. 
“I would like EMMA to become a more comprehensive experience – art paired with a glass of wine,” Krist envisions.

EMMA and the entire Exhibition Centre WeeGee will turn 20 on 13 October. A diverse programme is planned for the public, and the Saastamoinen Foundation Collection Exhibition(external link, opens in a new window) will be renewed as part of EMMA’s 20th anniversary year, curated by Krist Gruijthuijsen.

According to Krist, the purpose of art is to provoke. 

"Art that you don't understand has the greatest power to attract. The kind that makes you ask yourself what it is about," Krist says. 

EMMA's new exhibition, In Search of the Present: On Rootlessness(external link, opens in a new window) (14 March 2026 – 07 February 2027), is magnificent but by no means easy.

"You must relax your body and mind while visiting exhibitions. Rather than being a crowd-pleasing visual spectacle, On Rootlessness makes you think about the position of privilege. About people who have migrated with their families during a war, or colonialism," Krist describes the exhibition experience. 

You will not find the Director of EMMA on social media or in front of the television in his free time. In addition to art, Krist enjoys walking and hiking, and has even tried out snowboarding in Finland. Reading and having some quiet time in general, perhaps over a glass of wine, also act as a counterbalance for a busy working life. 

Krist is already familiar with Hyökyvuori Theatre for Children and Youth, & Espoo Theatre and April Jazz. Going forward, he also hopes to go and check out the offer of the Cultural Houses of Espoo.

Krist also spotted plenty to do in CultureEspoo’s event calendar, ranging from activities for children to libraries. He finally selected three events as his cultural picks for May:

Afternoon concert: Tango del norte  (Tuesday 12 May at Sello Hall)

"I like this music, and afternoon concerts in general. I would also be interested in the other concerts at Sello Hall!"

Tapiola Sinfonietta: Gestures (Thursday 14 May at Tapiola Hall, Espoo Cultural Centre)

Clarinettist Lauri Sallinen has made a name for himself as a crosser of boundaries. The concert will mark the début of Lithuanian conductor Izabelė Jankauskaitė, second-in-command of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. 

"Ways of crossing boundaries. Includes content from the Baltic countries."

African Wedding Fair (Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 May at Kannusali)

"This event has fantastic celebration colours!"

See what else is going on in Espoo: Cultural events in Espoo.

Check out previous cultural highlights at: www.espoo.fi/en/culture-picks

 Author: Sanna Uuksulainen