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WAMx – international window for exchange in Turku
In March 2019, WAM, the City Art Museum of Turku, launched WAMx, an operating model new to the Finnish art museum scene. It is a process with the primary idea of annually inviting an international expert to plan an exhibition programme in co-operation with the museum. The co-operation seeks new themes and entities that discuss current phenomena from interesting artists.
- Juhani Ruohonen, Director of Turku City Museums
Exhibitions and audience engagement
- Satu Pajarre, Head of Exhibitions and Education
- Susanna Hujala, Curator
- Mika Väyrynen, Curator
- Eveliina Tammi, Secretary for Exhibitions
Customer Services
Guided Tours 6 October 2023 – 14 January 2024
Exhibition Lux & Umbra
- in Finnish every Sunday at 2pm
- in Swedish on 29 Oct, 26 Nov and 14 Jan at 3pm
From the playground to the museum
Modern art is very accessible to children. It is a good idea to include art museums in early childhood education. Children don’t need to understand the art to enjoy it, and they often come up with creative and surprising interpretations. You can come lift your spirits in the museum on a rainy day, or come provoke your thoughts on a nice sunny day. You can easily leave the children’s raincoats and other clothes in the museum’s coat rack.
Brighten up the school day
The Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art offers many ways to revitalise your teaching. Modern art often awakens the senses and takes a stand on political issues and history. Fine arts can morph into literature, carry knowledge on other cultures or illustrate the physics of light and colour. Think outside the box and include the museum in your curriculum.
The museum building is designed by Irma and Matti Aaltonen. Wäinö Aaltonen himself took part in the designing process. Aaltonen travelled a lot, and he had got acquainted with different museums during his travels and exhibitions abroad.
WAM will close on 12th May 2024 after Iiu Susiraja's exhibition for extensive renovation and expansion work on the museum. We will reopen in autumn 2026.
Iiu Susiraja
2 February to 12 May 2024
Iiu Susiraja is known for her startling photographs and videos that feature the artist herself in unexpected contexts. Susiraja’s art features everyday objects that create the peculiar humour and surrealistic atmosphere in her works, which are then further reinforced by the insightful titles.
Wäinö Aaltonen (1894–1966) was the most important sculptor in the early years of Finland's independence. Aaltonen made several public sculptures of great national value, including the figures in the House of Parliament in the 1930's. The cityscape of Turku is embellished with a total of 11 outdoor sculptures by the artist. In Runeberg Park stands Turun Lilja (Lily of Turku). Opposite is Paavo Nurmen patsas (Statue of Paavo Nurmi).
The museum shop is a great place for anyone looking for art books and postcards. You will also find fun giftware and souvenirs as well as local design.
NB. Cash is not accepted for the time being.
The Turku City Art Museum WAM is located right by the city centre by the Aurajoki river, approximately a fifteen minute's walk away from the market square. The best route by foot is across the Teatterisilta bridge.
Turku City Theatre, Samppalinna Summer Theatre, Biological Museum, State Office Building and Paavo Nurmi Stadium are in the vicinity of the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art.
Accessibility
WAM is partially accessible.
Access
You will reach the museum's enabled access from Paavo Nurmen puistotie, a parkway between the museum and the City Theatre. There is an open gate without steps, that will lead to the terrace and the main entrance. A ramp is leading to the main doors, which are fitted with an electric opener.
The lobby, toilets and Café Wäinö are fully accessible.
Café Wäinö is closed.
There is a coffee automat at your disposal in the museum lobby.
Ticket sales end at the museum 20 minutes before closing time.
Contemporary art by the river
The Wäinö Aaltonen Museum of Art (WAM) is the Turku City Art Museum named in honour of the famous Turku born sculptor, Wäinö Aaltonen (1894–1966). For nearly 50 years this modernist white museum building has reflected itself in the Aurajoki river, becoming an intrinsic part of the urban cultural landscape on the east bank.