The Art Newspaper

Support for artist-led museum in Helsinki grows

Checkpoint Helsinki has won the backing of politicians following the rejection of a proposed Guggenheim branch last year

By Clemens Bomsdorf. Web only
Published online: 06 February 2013

Artists make the case for Checkpoint Helsinki at a meeting at the Amos Anderson Art Museum

The creation of an artist-led museum called Checkpoint Helsinki is looking likely following the city board's rejection of the Guggenheim Helsinki scheme last year.

The city has signalled that it is willing to financially support such an institution, which would provide a space for artists to produce and exhibit their work. A spokesman for the city says it has earmarked a budget for 2013 that could be used for the project, although no final decision has been made.

“It is good that many of the most important politicians, including the deputy mayor of Helsinki, who is also in charge of cultural affairs, has supported us,” says Markus Kahre, an artist who is one of the proponents of Checkpoint Helsinki. He anticipates that the project will receive around €1m this year from the city.