Oulun taidemuseo

About the museum

The Oulun taidemuseo (Oulu Art Museum) was founded in 1963. At first it operated in central Oulu, in the Kolmiotalo (Triangle House) on Kajaaninkatu, and later in commercial premises on Asemakatu, until in May 1990 it moved to the former factory building of Veljekset Åström Oy at Myllytulli.

The factory building was completed in 1922 to designs by the architect Birger Federley. The building has housed, among other things, a glue factory and the main library of the University of Oulu. The premises were repaired and supplemented for museum use by the architects Jorma Teppo and Henry Metsi, and the house was renovated and extended to its present form in 2007–2008. The red-brick industrial building and postmodern architecture meet in the premises.

The museum’s collection focuses on contemporary art. Its themes include phenomena in the visual arts, artists’ self-portraits, naïve art and northernness. The museum also looks after the art collection of the City of Oulu and is the regional responsibility art museum for North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu. Four to eight exhibitions are shown each year, and the collection is presented regularly in collection exhibitions.

Highlights

• Contemporary art from the north and the Oulu region
• Collection exhibitions and theme exhibitions
• The old red-brick Åström factory building
• Kaari art café and the museum shop Ainoa
• Muksuboxi for children and families

Founded

1963

Operated by

Oulun kaupunki (Oulun museo- ja tiedekeskus)

Visitors per year

approx. 38,092

Admission & discounts

Holders of the Museokortti and the Kaikukortti enter free of charge; there may be restrictions for events. Payment methods: bank and credit cards, cash, ePassi and the Edenred Virike card. Free admission to the café and the museum shop without visiting the exhibitions.

Accessibility

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

The museum is partly step-free. The entrance is step-free, and the thresholds are 1.5–2 cm high; the main door and the lobby inner door open with an automatic button. The exhibition halls are on the ground floor and the first floor, and there is a lift between the floors. The large A hall on the lower floor has steps and a ramp; one of the first-floor exhibition spaces has a stepped access, but it can also be reached step-free from the other end of the hall. The step-free toilet and the gender-neutral toilets are in the lobby. There are benches in the exhibition spaces, and folding chairs can be borrowed from the information desk.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Muksuboxi is designed for children and families to explore together as a support for the exhibition visit, and in the art workshops one can delve into the exhibition themes. Pushchairs can be borrowed from customer service, and the lobby has a pushchair park. The accessible toilet has a changing table.

Getting there & parking

When driving on the E75/E4 motorway, turn at junction 10 towards the centre. Bicycle racks are next to the main entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

The Kaari art café and the Ainoa museum shop are in the lobby. The lobby has cloakroom hooks, lockable lockers and a few storage cabinets. Baby food can be warmed in the café, which also has high chairs.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit