In 2022, Frame Contemporary Art Finland will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Frame foundation was established in 2012 to strengthen the role of Finnish contemporary art, promote international cooperation and increase engagement between Finnish and international professionals in the field.
“While our main mission has remained unchanged, we have seen many changes in Frame’s operations and in the contemporary art field over the past ten years. Changing contexts and forms of internationality, most recently due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have shaped both our work, as well as the whole contemporary art community,” says Raija Koli, Director of Frame.
In the early stages, Frame’s operations consisted mainly of grants and production of the Finnish pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Over the years it has expanded its scope to include an extensive visitor programme for art professionals, curatorial programmes, exhibition projects, pop-up offices, portfolio reviews and publications. To further strengthen the field of contemporary art, Frame produces annual statistics on visual art in Finland and is actively involved in advocacy work.
“At the heart of everything is enabling encounters between contemporary art professionals. Over the years we’ve collaborated with both small alternative art actors and large institutions of contemporary art. Supporting grassroots activities and enabling large-scale contemporary art projects are both important to Frame”, Raija Koli explains further.
The highlights of this year are the Finnish exhibition at the 59th Venice Art Biennale which opens in April, and two international study trips for contemporary art professionals in spring. In autumn, the Rehearsing Hospitalities week will provide another platform for engagements between Finnish and international contemporary art professionals. Promotion and evaluation of socio-ecological responsibility measures are also an integral part of Frame’s activities this year.
“Hopefully we will be able to get together in the autumn to celebrate. Bringing our vast network of colleagues and friends together after a pandemic would be a celebration in itself. The jubilee year is an opportunity for us to celebrate the wonderful community of contemporary art we are a part of.”
During this anniversary year, a retrospective of significant memories from the past decade will be highlighted across Frame’s communications.
