WAM Museum of Contemporary Art in Turku, Finland, is Frame Contemporary Art Finland’s main partner at the Pavilion of Finland at the 62nd Venice Biennale in 2028. The partnership is announced as WAM reopens after an ambitious renovation and expansion in October 2026.
“We wish to congratulate WAM on this impressive reopening, leading the museum into a new era. Their new spaces and international ambitions make WAM an ideal partner as we start planning the presentation for the 2028 Venice Biennale. For us, the Biennale provides a platform to introduce Finnish contemporary art actors to global audiences. Through this partnership, WAM will also present the Biennale exhibition to Finnish audiences afterwards”, says Juha Huuskonen, CEO of Frame.
Originally completed in 1967, WAM’s building is celebrated as a cornerstone of Finnish modernism and museum architecture. The renewed WAM will honor this legacy while offering a bold stage for contemporary art. Visitors can experience exhibitions by both Finnish and international artists, alongside highlights from the City of Turku’s extensive art collection.
The renewed museum builds a stronger international standing through strategic collaborations and key platforms, such as the Venice Biennale.
“Our collaboration with Frame marks a significant step forward for WAM’s renewed vision and role within international networks. It also strengthens Turku’s profile as a city of art and culture. Presenting the Finnish Pavilion’s exhibition at WAM in 2029 will form part of the celebrations marking the 800th anniversary of Turku,” says Satu Pajarre, Director of WAM.
WAM Museum of Contemporary Art in Turku, Finland. Photo: Jari Laurén / WAM
The Venice Biennale, founded in 1895 and held biannually, is one of the most important international forums for presenting contemporary art. Finland is one of the 29 countries with a national pavilion in the historical Giardini Biennale Park. In 2026, the Biennale hosted 99 National Participations.
Frame Contemporary Art Finland is the commissioner of the Pavilion of Finland at the Venice Art Biennale and coordinates the selection process of the artist and curator for the Pavilion. Every other edition, the selection is made through an open call, and every other edition by a direct invitation or shortlist process. For the 2028 edition, the selection is made through an invitation-based shortlist process and announced in early 2027.
More information:
Juha Huuskonen
CEO, Frame Contemporary Art Finland
juha.huuskonen@frame-finland.fi
T. +358 40 570 9617
Pavilion of Finland at the Venice Biennale. Photo: Rosa Kuosmanen / Frame