M_itä? Biennale of Contemporary Art 2025 in Kuopio

The 2025 M_itä? Biennale of Contemporary Art will bring a diverse showcase of Eastern Finnish contemporary art to Kuopio. Opening in September 2025, the biennale will spread across several cultural venues in the city, including the Kuopio Art Museum, the Quarter Museum, the Music Centre, the Kuopio City Theatre, and one of the city’s branch libraries.

The event offers a wide range of art that goes beyond visual arts. The biennale will feature experiential and performative works, as well as spatial and performance pieces that open new worlds and stimulate various senses. This diversity makes the biennale a unique art experience that attracts art enthusiasts both locally and from afar.

The biennale is part of Kuopio’s 250th anniversary celebrations, adding a special festive and meaningful touch to the event. The chief curator is visual artist and art consultant Kirsi Pitkänen, who has brought together an impressive group of artists and works.

The M_itä? Biennale of Contemporary Art is organized in collaboration with the art museums of Kuopio, Mikkeli, Joensuu, and Lappeenranta, strengthening the regional significance and cooperation in the Eastern Finnish art scene.

The artists selected for the 2025 biennale are Jouni Airaksinen, Michal Czinege, Kaija Hinkula, Saara Hyvärinen, Nanna Hänninen, Antti Immonen, Hanna-Kaisa Korolainen, Maija Laurinen, Ulla-Mari Lindström, Aleksi Martikainen, Sanna Nissinen, Simo Ripatti, Piia Rossi, Jonna Suurhasko, Taneli Törmä, Kristiina Uusitalo, Juha Valkeapää, and the groups Anniina Mannila, Panu Ollikainen and Risto Puurunen, as well as Anna Fält, Emma Fält and Andrea Mancianti. The invited artist is Markku “Sika” Puustinen.

Welcome to experience the best of Eastern Finnish contemporary art in Kuopio in September 2025!