The art museum owns works of art across the city. Its collection includes the city’s public art works and memorials. However, public art may also be a dance performance at a library, or an environmental work of art exhibited in a local park for a week. Through its support for public art, the art museum wants to contribute to the built environment and local resident’s day-to-day lives.
Public art also includes works acquired for the city’s public buildings through the Percent for Art scheme. This scheme is a nationwide initiative to ensure the construction of aesthetically pleasing, high-quality environments, such as schools, day-care centres and hospitals. Art plays a great educational role in the living environments of people of all ages. In addition, the Percent for Art initiative promotes employment for artists and their sub-contractors.
Hyvinkää has long traditions as a supporter and commissioner of arts. The latest decision on participation in the scheme was made by the local authority in 2001. Pursuant to this decision, in all new buildings 0.5% of the costs are allocated to art.
Tiina Valkeapää: Abacus, 2011. Acquired through the Percent for Art scheme for Kaunisto retirement home. Picture: Ella Tommila.
Public art is democratic by nature. At its best, public art is present in our everyday surroundings where it can be experienced and enjoyed free of charge at any time. Art is made available in public spaces as permanent and temporary works and events realised either by the city or other parties, with local characteristics and features emphasised in their realisation and topics.
Public sculptures and commemorative plates can also be explored via a mobile app or on the City of Hyvinkää’s website (both in Finnish).
Kaisa Berry ja Maija Gulin: Bow, 2017. Acquired through the Percent for Art scheme for Kenttäkatu kindergarten. Picture: Ella Tommila