Art Linnakallio Symposium 2026 (EN)
Open Call for Art Linnakallio 2026 International Symposium // in finnish
Art Linnakallio International Symposium is looking for artists to create site-specific works in the new Zenith area in Kempele, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The symposium will take place in two parts in August 2025 and August 2026 under the theme Traces.
What traces do we leave? Traces can be imaginary archaeological discoveries or traces left by our present culture for a future civilisation, from underground to outer space.
The artist will receive a commission of €15,000, a production grant, and travel and accommodation for two meetings in Kempele in August 2025 and August 2026.
Open Call for Art Linnakallio 2026 International Symposium
Art Linnakallio International Symposium is looking for artists to create site-specific works in the new Zenith area in Kempele, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. The symposium will take place in two parts in August 2025 and August 2026 under the theme Traces.
What traces do we leave? Traces can be imaginary archaeological discoveries or traces left by our present culture for a future civilisation, from underground to outer space.
A key phenomenon for the Zenith area is land uplift. The area is home to important historical sites such as the burial mound in the northern part of the Zenith site and an ancient, pristine forest area. Artists will be invited to a symposium in August 2025 to learn about the history of the region and to develop ideas for artworks, and will then meet in Kempele in August 2026 for the production phase of their work.
Art Linnakallio is looking for permanent works to be realised in the Zenith area during the symposium. From the applicants, three or four artists will be selected for the symposium. The works will be executed on the large rock walls of the Zenith. Art Linnakallio provides the artists with travel, accommodation, breakfast and lunch during the meetings.
Art Linnakallio is committed to equality and diversity in the art world. All information will be treated confidentially. The call is open to all professional artists. All Art Linnakallio Oulu2026 events follow the guidelines for environmentally friendly event organisation (https://oulu.com/kestavat-tapahtumat/) and the principles of safe spaces. The City of Kempele is committed to sustainable development and has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2007 levels by 2030.
The works will be selected in collaboration with art experts and will be announced in June 2025. The selection process will be led by the Community Committee of Kempele Municipality.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The open call for artists will be carried out via an Artorio online form. Applications will be accepted until 30 May 2025 at 16:00 (UTC+2).
The selected artists will receive:
- A commission of €15,000.
- Production costs, total €25,000 to be shared between all selected artists. Production costs will be allocated based on budget plans.
- Travel, accommodation, breakfast and lunch during the first part of the symposium in August 2025.
- Travel, accommodation, breakfast and lunch during the symposium in August 2026.
- Technical support from the Municipality of Kempele (e.g. heavy machinery if needed).
Background information on Art Linnakallio and the Zenith area
Zenith of Kempele (https://www.zeniittikempele.fi/historia/) is an old stone crushing plant that is being transformed into a new tourist and recreational area in Kempele, North Ostrobothnia, Finland. Central to the development of the area is an arts programme that creates site-specific artworks through the Art Linnakallio Symposium.
See also: https://www.zeniittikempele.fi/vesiputous-toiminnassa/
Curators
The curators of Art Linnakallio 2026 are Moosa Myllykangas and assistant curator Taija Jyrkäs.
Moosa Myllykangas is an established Oulu-based visual artist who has made her international career from Northern Ostrobothnia. She has exhibited her work extensively in different parts of the world and has been active in arts organisations and the Arts Councils of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. In recent years, she has created an art programme for the new Hartaanranta housing estate in Oulu and worked as the art coordinator for the Oulu Housing Fair 2025.
Taija Jyrkäs is a visual and performing arts producer and curator who lives and works in Oulu. Since 2021 she has chaired the Art Donation Committee of the North Ostrobothnia Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation, which acquires public works of art for the North Ostrobothnia region. She currently works as a producer at Photo North – Northern Photography Centre. As part of her work as a producer at Photo North, she was involved in the production of the international More-than-Planet project.
About the organiser
Art Linnakallio is an art symposium organised by the City of Kempele. The Art Linnakallio symposium was held for the first time in 2017, curated by artist Antti Ylönen. The artists Alfio Bonanno from Denmark, Latika Katt from India, Sakari Matinlauri from Finland and Knut Wold from Norway were invited to create site-specific works. The works are unconventionally located in an underwater sculpture park at the bottom of Sun Lake in the Zenith area, which future visitors will be able to explore by diving. See below for a link to the destination.
The city of Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Art Linnakallio is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme.
Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026, together with 39 municipalities in the North. World-class experiences from near, far and beyond will be presented. Culture, art and diverse events will be experienced in cities, villages and nature. It is a journey of several years that will culminate in 2026.
For further information, please contact:
Anne Toppari
Kempele Academy, Library and Culture Director, Municipality of Kempele
anne.toppari@kempele.fi +358 50 4636457