WAM nykytaiteen museo

About the museum

WAM nykytaiteen museo (WAM Museum of Contemporary Art) is located on the eastern bank of the River Aura in Turku’s third district. The museum opened in 1967 as the Wäinö Aaltonen Museum, and the building still bears this name. The modernist building, clad in travertine, was designed by sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen, his son Matti Aaltonen and Matti’s wife, the architect Irma Aaltonen. On the terrace stand three sculptures by Wäinö Aaltonen from the series Työ ja tulevaisuus (Work and Future), which have become the museum’s well-known outdoor landmarks.

Until May 2026 the museum was known as WAM Turun kaupungin taidemuseo (WAM City of Turku Art Museum); it is now WAM nykytaiteen museo. It looks after the City of Turku’s art collection, which comprises about 11,000 works. The collection focuses on art from south-western Finland, contemporary art, and sculpture and three-dimensional art. The donated Wäinö Aaltonen collection is an important part of the museum’s holdings.

The thorough renovation of the museum building began in June 2024. The old office building facing the park was demolished, and a new office wing was built in its place. During the renovation, exhibition activities moved to the Kilta Galleria in the Taiteen talo (House of Art). The museum reopens in renewed form on 31 October 2026.

Highlights

• Modernist museum building designed by Wäinö Aaltonen
• Työ ja tulevaisuus (Work and Future) sculptures on the terrace
• City of Turku art collection (about 11,000 works)
• Wäinö Aaltonen donation collection
• Contemporary art exhibitions

Founded

1967

Operated by

Turun kaupunki

Visitors per year

approx. 55,000

Admission & discounts

The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Free admission also for under-18s and for ICOM members, staff of other museums, media representatives, art students, professional artists, travel guides, and the group leader and driver of a group. Payment methods: cash, bank and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), Museokortti, ePassi, Edenred and the City of Turku’s wellbeing and senior wristbands.

Accessibility

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

The step-free entrances are on the Musiikkitalo Fuuga side (from the direction of Paavo Nurmen puistotie) and from the café terrace; the doors have opening buttons and contrast markings on the glass. The door at the gable end has a ramp, but the route there is not entirely step-free. The exhibition floors can be reached by lift, which has no audio announcements. The exhibition spaces, shop, café, workshop and toilets are step-free. Step-free toilets are in the foyer and next to the workshop. An induction loop is available at the foyer information point, in the café and in the shop. Guide dogs are welcome. Raised seats are available in the foyer and on the exhibition floors. Guide tapes lead from the entrance to the information point and to a relief map, and some artworks may be touched. The nearest accessible parking space on Paavo Nurmen puistotie is on a steep slope; two step-free spaces are on Kulttuurikuja, about 200 metres away.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby-changing tables are in the step-free toilets in the foyer and next to the workshop.

Getting there & parking

It is about 1.2 km from the Kauppatori to the museum. Itäinen Rantakatu is one-way at the museum. Bicycle spaces are on the museum terrace at the Fuuga end. During the opening period there may be queues to get in.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Sommar Café & Bistro and the museum shop. Free lockers in the foyer for large bags.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit