Kuntsin modernin taiteen museo

About the museum

Kuntsin modernin taiteen museo opened to the public in February 2007, but its roots go back almost fifty years. Consul Simo Kuntsi (1913–1984) collected art from the 1950s onwards and in 1970 founded the foundation that bears his name, to which he donated his collection. The foundation and the City of Vaasa agreed that the collection would be kept permanently in the city. The collection was on display at the Vaasa Commercial School until 1997.

In 2000 the Vaasa City Council decided to convert the building, originally used as a customs warehouse, in the Sisäsatama into a museum of modern art, and construction began in 2004. Alongside the Kuntsi Foundation collection, the Swanljung Collection, gathered by dentist Lars Swanljung, was added later; he donated it to the City of Vaasa in 2018.

The museum’s activities are based on changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and on exhibitions presenting its own collections. The museum also organises interdisciplinary performances and events, as well as art clubs for children and young people.

Highlights

• Kuntsi Foundation and Swanljung collections
• Building is the former customs warehouse on the seashore
• Changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art
• Museum shop and café space
• Art clubs for children and young people

Founded

2007

Operated by

Vaasan kaupunki (Vaasan museot)

Admission & discounts

One admission ticket is valid for visits on the same day to Pohjanmaan museo (Ostrobothnian Museum), Tikanojan taidekoti and Kuntsin modernin taiteen museo. The Museokortti and the Kaikukortti are valid. Guided tours are free for Vaasa city schools and day-care centres.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

The entrance is step-free and the exhibition floors can be reached by lift. The museum has an accessible toilet, wheelchairs to borrow, and lockable cloakroom and backpack lockers. You can drive a car up to the main entrance. Guided tours in easy-to-read language and with audio description are available on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum has regular art clubs for children and young people (Mini-taiteilijat for 4–6-year-olds and XS-taiteilijat for 7–12-year-olds). The plush toys Yöleopardi and Jaguaari lead plush-toy guided tours. The museum is step-free, so pushchairs can also be taken into the exhibitions, and there is a baby-changing room.

Getting there & parking

The museum is by the sea in the Sisäsatama. You can drive a car up to the main entrance of the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café space and museum shop selling the museum’s publications, books, posters, postcards, toys, textiles and gifts. The shop can be entered without an admission ticket during opening hours.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum’s premises are suitable for events.

Plan your visit