Frame has received an 80,000-euro project grant from the Ministry of Education and Culture to support the participation of Finnish art galleries in international art fairs in 2026–2027.
In the project’s two application rounds, Finnish art galleries can apply for support to cover art fair participation fees, transportation costs, and insurance. The first application round will take place from 8 to 24 June 2026, during which funding can be applied for fairs in 2026. The second application round will be held in late 2026 and will focus on fairs in 2027. Grants range from 5,000 to 15,000 euros.
“We believe it is important to improve Finnish galleries’ opportunities to participate in key international art fairs. Art fairs are a platform to build relationships with collectors, curators, museums, and other players in the art world, as well as to promote artists’ international career development and sales. Business Finland’s Exhibition Explorer funding ended in 2025, resulting in a clear funding gap in the sector,” says Frame CEO Juha Huuskonen.
The project now being launched is a follow-up to the report New Opportunities for the Finnish Art Market and Art Investment, published in the fall of 2025, which was commissioned by Frame and carried out by FUTUARTS Oy. Following the report, Frame has engaged in dialogue with galleries regarding the development of their international activities. The project will also collect data on the impact of galleries’ fair participation on international networks, exhibition opportunities, and art sales.
The project supports both galleries that have extensive experience in international art fairs and galleries participating in fairs for the first time. Frame’s goal is to establish a funding instrument in Finland that supports galleries’ participation in art fairs, similar to those in several Nordic countries. This would provide long-term support for galleries to access the most significant international fairs, where building client relationships and visibility requires continuous participation.
Further information and detailed application guidelines will be published on Frame’s website when the application period opens on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Galerie Forsblom participating in the Armory Show in New York in 2025. Photo: Galerie Forsblom