EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art

EMMA launches recruitment for next museum director – current Director Pilvi Kalhama to head the new Museum of Architecture and Design

22.1.2025 11:00:00 EET | EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art | Press release

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The long-time Director of EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Pilvi Kalhama (Ph.Lic.), has been appointed Director of the new Museum of Architecture and Design in Helsinki. Kalhama will remain Director of EMMA until the end of July and will take up her new position on 4 August 2025. The Board of Directors of the EMMA Art Museum Foundation will launch the recruitment process for a new director in February.

EMMA's Museum Director Pilvi Kalhama at Collection Kakkonen exhibition. Artworks: Heini Riitahuhta. © Ari Karttunen / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
EMMA's Museum Director Pilvi Kalhama at Collection Kakkonen exhibition. Artworks: Heini Riitahuhta. © Ari Karttunen / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art

“We at EMMA are proud and happy about Pilvi’s appointment,” says Saija Äikäs, Chair of the Board of the EMMA Art Museum Foundation, noting that EMMA is in excellent shape after Pilvi Kalhama’s tenure. “We expect the new Director of EMMA to have strong, visionary expertise in art and design, as well as international experience. We also require demonstrable people-management and business skills. The new Director will oversee a unique and internationally significant museum in an extraordinary environment and will manage a professional, multidisciplinary staff,” Äikäs adds.

Next summer, Kalhama will have served as Director of EMMA for 13 years. During that time, EMMA has cemented its position as one of the most important art museums in Finland. Under Kalhama’s leadership, EMMA has widened its scope to include not only art but also design, and has strengthened its collaboration with the City of Espoo on public art projects. The museum’s visitor numbers and its international recognition have grown, and its finances are on a solid footing.

“I am immensely grateful for my years working at EMMA, where, together with the staff, the board and our partners, we have built EMMA’s success! My warmest thanks go to Chair Saija Äikäs and the entire EMMA team, the Saastamoinen Foundation, the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation, Kyösti Kakkonen, as well as outgoing Mayor Jukka Mäkelä and all our partners at the City of Espoo and in networks with whom I have had the pleasure of working towards shared goals,” says Kalhama.

More info:  

Saija Äikäs
Chair of the Board, EMMA Art Museum Foundation
saija.aikas@helsinki.chamber.fi,
+358 504925854

Saara Suojoki
EMMA Development Director
saara.suojoki@emmamuseum.fi
+358 408412621

EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art

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Collection Kakkonen © Ari Karttunen / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art

EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art is one of the foremost art museums in Finland. Located in the WeeGee Exhibition Centre in Tapiola, it has the largest floor area of any art museum in the country. In addition to temporary exhibitions, EMMA also displays works from Collection Kakkonen and those of the Saastamoinen Foundation and the Tapio Wirkkala Rut Bryk Foundation. Organisationally, EMMA is a private foundation overseen by the City of Espoo.

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EMMA's Museum Director Pilvi Kalhama at Collection Kakkonen exhibition. Artworks: Heini Riitahuhta. © Ari Karttunen / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
EMMA's Museum Director Pilvi Kalhama at Collection Kakkonen exhibition. Artworks: Heini Riitahuhta. © Ari Karttunen / EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art
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