Suomen käsityön museo

About the museum

The decision to found a museum devoted to handicrafts was obtained from the Imperial Senate on 14 December 1888, and funding for its operations was granted from 1890 onwards. The original museum operated under the Suomen Taideteollisuusyhdistys (Finnish Art Industry Association) in connection with the Taideteollisuusmuseo (Museum of Applied Arts). In 1908–1926 it operated in Helsinki under the name Valtion kotiteollisuusmuseo (State Home Industry Museum), and in 1927–1933 again in connection with the Museum of Applied Arts. After that the collections were stored, and museum activity was on hiatus for almost fifty years.

In 1982 the museum resumed its operations as an independent museum in Jyväskylä under the name Suomen kotiteollisuusmuseo (Finnish Home Industry Museum), and it opened to the public on 10 June 1983 in the old rector's office at Seminaarinkatu 32. In 1992 the museum received the status of a national special museum, and in the same year the Suomen kansallispukukeskus (Finnish National Costume Centre) was established as part of it. The name changed to Suomen käsityön museo (Finnish Museum of Crafts) on 1 January 1997, and operations in the present premises at Kauppakatu 25 began on 16 June 2000. The property, designed by architect Olavi Kivimaa, had earlier served, among other things, as a bank and a clothing shop.

The permanent exhibitions Kädenjälki – Taidon kertomaa (Handprint – Told by Skill) and Ajaton perinne – Suomalainen kansallispuku (Timeless Tradition – Finnish National Costume) present Finnish handicraft traditions, materials, techniques and national costumes. In addition, the museum often has several small changing exhibitions, an open workshop, a museum shop and the Konservointikeskus (Conservation Centre).

Highlights

• Kädenjälki – Taidon kertomaa basic exhibition on Finnish handicraft traditions
• Ajaton perinne – Suomalainen kansallispuku exhibition on Western Finnish and Karelian national costumes
• Open workshop where people of all ages can try crafts
• Museum shop selling products of about a hundred Finnish craftspeople
• The Äimä hand puppet, with which children explore the exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Kädenjälki – Taidon kertomaa – Permanent exhibition on the tradition of making things by hand in Finland: materials, ideas and skill in crafts, from the perspective of the sustainable handprint; the trial space allows visitors to explore and try things out.
• Ajaton perinne – Suomalainen kansallispuku – The permanent exhibition of the Finnish National Costume Centre presents Western Finnish and Karelian national costumes and folk craft skills; there are also many printed fabrics on display.

Founded

1888

Operated by

Jyväskylän kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on anniversaries, for example on Jyväskylä Day, 22 March, Craft Day, 14 April, and International Museum Day, 18 May.

The Museokortti is accepted, and the card can be bought at the museum's ticket desk. Payment methods: ePassi, Tyky+ and Edenred.

Accessibility

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

The museum is step-free with assistance. Street level can be reached by wheelchair; the first floor can be reached by a platform lift (floor 97 × 77 cm), and from there a larger lift takes you to the basement and the second floor, with staff assistance if needed. The accessible toilet is at street level. Walkers and wheelchairs can be borrowed from the museum. The exhibition spaces have no handrails, so visually impaired visitors are advised to bring an assistant. The disabled parking space is in front of Kauppakatu 23. Guide dogs are welcome, and sign-language guidance is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

In the open workshop the whole family can try crafts; the workshop suits those over 7, and younger children come with an adult. You can borrow the Äimä hand puppet from the info desk and explore the exhibitions with it; the Tutki Äimän kanssa (Explore with Äimä) children's tour covers both permanent exhibitions. There are hands-on sections in the Kädenjälki exhibition. Children's birthday parties are held at the museum, and baby changing and breastfeeding have been taken into account.

Getting there & parking

The museum is right in central Jyväskylä, along the pedestrian street, next to Kirkkopuisto.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells products of about a hundred Finnish craftspeople and designers, as well as literature in the field; there you can buy or renew the Museokortti. The museum has no car parking of its own for customers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit