![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=2048&h=1535&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=d016b4ef435def9edd9591dfa69aaec9 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=1920&h=1439&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=827485496f11ce441cf07d448df35a5c 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=1536&h=1151&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=d1da1a9567477738064f2054b1155e41 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=1280&h=959&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=af04e63bace77886b0f8f4f680a591c9 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=1024&h=767&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=2d5fba84b16fb602a7d781b8e6b7020b 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=768&h=575&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=70c6a83835dc145bf45b51f29ea6c39e 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=512&h=383&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=14b782b3ba30cf259fa748acb758003e 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=256&h=191&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=19d72e27b5411361a863a07399523e23 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-cr_0273.jpg?w=128&h=95&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685394821&s=00b7c87cb6c789e20df979dd79bcb620 128w)
Pilvi Kalhama, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, 2022
Photo by Ari Karttunen / EMMA
What is the history of EMMA’s permanent collection?
EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art collection was originally donated for the museum by the City of Espoo when the museum foundation was founded.
Since the opening of the museum in 2006 the collection has expanded and now includes altogether 3200 artworks.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=2048&h=1519&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=cdf2baeb057e66da6d049ce38aa24a46 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=1920&h=1424&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=c05b08bf7c6153a8a618f4f4de6c6ae0 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=1536&h=1139&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=00d8787d4b8110b4e2f300cafa27f831 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=1280&h=949&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=e2c09a0d724799db9e94400e81c6d745 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=1024&h=759&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=a4739c6406e3415df27fd11bc5464044 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=768&h=569&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=b997ca8bd77f9cd3b15a0db3d7cea1c4 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=512&h=379&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=e2d4861617cd186808f67d8eb76ad572 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=256&h=189&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=b160c6627b8d97be6deaf6fb499ae64a 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/OE17_Pentagonal_0205-2.jpg?w=128&h=94&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396599&s=f771e9a7ea059d0e7187c9c670b0beeb 128w)
Pentagonal landscape, Olafur Eliasson, 2017
Photo by Ari Karttunen / EMMA
Does the collection have a specific area of focus?
We collect contemporary art from Finland and neighbouring countries by making both direct acquisitions and commissions.
Collecting is linked to our exhibition programming but we also collect and commission works for public spaces around the city. Substantially we tend to have specific programmes running for several years which direct part of our collecting.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=2048&h=1504&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=4d69a008091320fad734d8865af744b9 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=1920&h=1410&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=c542556c106938a109da227cd15bb300 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=1536&h=1128&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=89d0afd34047516fb72007d79b0c1f2c 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=1280&h=940&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=66e386b3b993448e25874f2ed817fe1a 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=1024&h=752&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=a6f403702bf224f73aec85d3bb64fa39 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=768&h=564&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=331448b0d24462f5c0478a0626781555 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=512&h=376&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=186bf0c30aa1fe5969f78c750ceb64de 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=256&h=188&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=2878642583108c024728d650dc4f987a 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Emma_jattaa_jaljen_0371.jpg?w=128&h=94&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685396012&s=41ee2b3ae41bd2dcad1c6f17018ad20b 128w)
Kim Simonsson, Emma jättää jäljen [Emma leaves a mark], 2017, Tapiola metro station. Courtesy of EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art Collection
Photo by Yehia Eweis / EMMA
How does the museum fund new acquisitions? Do private patrons play a big role?
Our budget, which is based on both public funding and our own income, includes annual art investments so acquisitions are funded by the museum itself.
Commissions, instead, are funded by the city, cultural funds, investors or builders. We also get art donations from private owners, but in direct acquisitions the private sector isn’t a big player.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=2048&h=1365&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=4790f9e0adb69ee2507ab149d7d3f3af 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=4cc6b161e959855895ac46b56904179a 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=1536&h=1024&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=f0936b6457dcae3e03fc41bbe68f7d17 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=1280&h=853&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=bc38a6fe3f7374d159d3de40d574b0cb 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=1024&h=682&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=3a248f5076822a9230df16acba618f4b 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=768&h=512&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=43e9b2d3d6590b568d4ab49bb66a423a 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=512&h=341&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=bbfd3877d1e7b1c974a82b565aea244a 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=256&h=170&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=9cde6220499773b4d8584e6d3f0a0a50 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pierre_Huyghe_02.jpg?w=128&h=85&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395806&s=78a92730d76ea04ecdac3f754be671d5 128w)
Pierre Huyghe, Abyssal Plain, 2015. Photo by Zak Kelley. Courtesy of the artist / Hauser & Wirth, London
© Pierre Huyghe
What does the museum look for when it comes to selecting works by international artists to add to its collection? Do they need to have a connection to Finland?
We have the same principles when selecting artists in or outside Finland, so there are only artistic values behind collecting – no need to have any connection to Finland or Espoo.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=2048&h=1366&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=ddc935116f81729263e7fddbe37f58b6 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=492770a16abcaa3c376177ebf1f2d227 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=1536&h=1024&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=cd74d38a9acd0ab5865e83369a0c7fb8 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=1280&h=853&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=80c3fc14bbc3bcec3cc80d5890c2f707 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=1024&h=683&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=56687c68e02d26535d6b170e56ba0a4e 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=768&h=512&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=1ba2d4bd3065966e1cbbf68facc6d73b 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=512&h=341&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=7d03e750fdf3867f69db101ff789d5f0 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=256&h=170&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=05d5a371fcab8d9133cff16d0b8c238b 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/EMMA_Kosketus2021_John_Korner_02.jpg?w=128&h=85&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685395703&s=baf87f399751d271c49534891f02792f 128w)
John Kørner, Between Two Heavens, 2018. Touch: Listening to Silence, 2021. Courtesy of Saastamoinen Foundation Art Collection
© Paula Virta / EMMA
Does EMMA buy for eternity? Why is this idea of a museum selling part of its collection seen as being so controversial?
We do sometimes remove works from our collection but it doesn’t happen by selling. We can donate a work forward or in the end of a work’s material life cycle we might need to destroy it.
However, removing from the collection is small scale activity and doesn’t include selling because in an institution like a museum the history of collecting is a value itself.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=2560&h=2191&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=b4f47d815355f8e0b2ab27196deb8a8d 2560w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=2048&h=1752&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=d6a2fe288cafa64965a21c0326ba19fe 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=1920&h=1643&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=8ef14c85361cd9cc1889ccc6edc484f8 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=1536&h=1314&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=6c5cf45239076eeba3fd22de7a67a030 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=1280&h=1095&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=8dddeef19574546593b83bcec9bfcd11 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=1024&h=876&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=6494b11caad1c0aae999392d2c90095b 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=768&h=657&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=c9f2acb9581cf6e254b7f19773137772 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=512&h=438&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=1f14c91af8c7e486ae825778453bc5ed 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=256&h=219&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=5346d69e3b839940e29af0641c863ab8 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Sm_NOM18_ripustus_0019.jpg?w=128&h=109&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1685613356&s=2d0923dd81847c4f78727c081f419087 128w)
Maria Rubinke, Peace of Mind, 2015
Photo by Ari Karttunen / EMMA
How do you think EMMA’s collection will change going forward? Does it need to change?
I feel we’re on a right track. In our collecting it’s crucial to keep in mind that we collect art for displaying it. That means we collect art for “use” – not to mummify it in storages.
We are a private foundation (not a state owned & national) so therefore this principle can frame our current collecting.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-2022c.png?w=768&h=1027&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1682600166&s=55b298d2b7aefa01c5e407d31135ca57 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-2022c.png?w=512&h=684&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1682600166&s=b993895afa3b53ada6ddf282399f60a6 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-2022c.png?w=256&h=342&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1682600166&s=0a850c4ee0b964d83f0d9c9d9f9e765a 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/Pilvi-Kalhama-2022c.png?w=128&h=171&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1682600166&s=381b632bfc244d2128535c34dd6694c8 128w)
Pilvi Kalhama is an Executive Director of EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, one of the leading art museums in Finland. In EMMA Kalhama has recently implemented comprehensive development steps in the field of sustainability and art commissioning. Last year EMMA opened a museum extension dedicated for design.
Kalhama is currently preparing a doctoral thesis on institutional criticism, democratic modalities and the influence of art on museum development. She has over 20 years of working experience as a curator, writer, adviser and lecturer. She was a founding partner and CEO of Helsinki Contemporary gallery and she has also been working as Senior Research Lecturer at The Finnish Academy of Fine Arts.