The City of Turku’s art collection comprises approximately 12,000 works of art. It is managed by WAM, the City of Turku’s art museum. The collection focuses on art from Southwest Finland, contemporary art, and sculpture, including other three-dimensional works.
A central part of the collection is the Wäinö Aaltonen collection, which features iconic works such as Lily of Turku (1928), The Maiden of Finland (1928), Wading Woman in red granite (1940), and Granite Boy (1923) in black granite.
The collection spans a timeline from the 17th century to the present day. The oldest pieces are portraits, originally part of the collections of the Turku Historical Museum and later the Turku Provincial Museum. The City of Turku began systematic art collecting in 1937, with a strong emphasis since then on acquiring contemporary works. Artists represented in the collection include Edvin Lydén (1879–1956), Dora Wahlroos (1870–1947), Mauno Haartman (1930–2017), Raili Mikkonen (1927–2021), and Manno Kalliomäki (1948–2005).
The principles guiding the care and development of the collection are outlined in the Collection Policy, which is updated regularly.
The art collection is continuously expanded through acquisitions, donations, and other additions. The City of Turku allocates an annual investment grant to the museum for the acquisition of new works. A dedicated committee is responsible for selecting the artworks to be included in the collection, and each decision is documented in a formal report.
The following professionals are involved in the care and management of the collection:
New artworks are photographed, examined, and catalogued in the collection management system Aina before being placed in storage. The collection is displayed in various City of Turku premises, such as schools and offices, for the enjoyment of the city’s residents.
The Aina system records a wide range of core information about each work of art, including the artist, title, year, and technique. In addition, research data—such as provenance, historical context, and museological value—is also documented.
WAM Turku City Art Museum provides services to other museums, municipal departments, private individuals, and members of the media. As a regional responsibility museum, we also serve other municipalities in Southwest Finland. The museum offers guidance and information but does not provide valuations or statements of authenticity.
When needed, artworks from the collection may be loaned to other museums for exhibitions. Permission to use images may also be granted, for example, to researchers for scholarly purposes. A fee is charged for loans and image use. Please note that the loan service is currently limited due to the ongoing relocation of the City of Turku’s museum collections.
