Taidekoti Kirpilä

About the museum

Taidekoti Kirpilä (Kirpilä Art Home) occupied the former home of the medical licentiate Juhani Kirpilä (1931–1988) and his life partner, the antiques dealer Karl (Kalle) Rosenqvist, from 1979 to 1988. The flat covers almost 350 square metres on the top floor of a functionalist building in Töölö. In 1976 Juhani Kirpilä made a will leaving his estate to the Suomen Kulttuurirahasto (Finnish Cultural Foundation), under which an art home bearing his name was to be founded.

After Kirpilä’s death the home was emptied in 1990, and the first museum director, Anneli Lindström, designed the space to combine the atmosphere of the former home with a functioning exhibition space. The Taidekoti was opened to the public on 3 June 1992. Since its opening the museum has been open free of charge twice a week.

In addition to exhibitions, the art home’s programme includes lectures, concerts, theme tours and children’s events. Since 2000 a series of Lied concerts has been held there in cooperation with the Sibelius Academy. The collection comprises 543 works, 38 of which are sculptures. Taidekoti Kirpilä belongs to the Small Art Museums Helsinki network.

Highlights

• Former home of a collector, where art and furnishings form a whole
• Collection of 543 works
• Free public guided tours on Wednesdays and Sundays
• Lied concerts in a homely salon setting
• Guided tours for children, in easy-read language and with audio description

Founded

1992

Operated by

Suomen Kulttuurirahasto

Director

Heta Kaisto

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Books and postcards are sold in the museum. Group guided tours are paid for on site by card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

There are five steps with a railing in front of the building’s outer door. During opening hours a wheelchair user can reach the building with the help of a guard, through the gateway and the courtyard door; the narrowest doorway is 87.5 cm, and four doorways have a threshold of 2–3.5 cm. It is advisable to phone in advance at +358 50 351 4337. The house’s original gate lift (veräjähissi) is 65.5 cm wide. There is no step-free toilet. The nearest step-free parking space is at Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 17. In the hall, shoes must be taken off or protective slippers put on. Assistance dogs are welcome. The art home also offers guided tours in easy-read language and with audio description.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The art home offers guided tours for children and organises children’s events; guided tours for school groups are free of charge.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the fifth floor of the building; there is a lift at the address. The nearest step-free parking space is at Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 17.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Staff help with the cloakroom. Books and postcards are on sale.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit