This year will see the third edition of the major visual arts event Helsinki Biennial. Over the course of the event, works by 37 artists and groups of artists from Finland and beyond will be on display. This year, the biennial will be open to visitors on the island of Vallisaari, at HAM Helsinki Art Museum, and in Esplanade Park. Helsinki Biennial offers schools a unique opportunity to experience art and engage in learning that transcends subject boundaries. Come and join us!
The theme of this third biennial, Shelter, was inspired by Vallisaari, which has been uninhabited by humans for decades. This island, with its interesting history, is a valuable natural site and home to a diverse ecosystem surrounded by water – a place of shelter for many living creatures. The pieces that make up the biennial encourage us to disconnect from our human-centric approach and view the surrounding world through the eyes of other creatures instead. The works will help us understand the delicate relationship between nature and humanity, encourage empathy, and promote positive actions.
From early August, advance materials will be available on this website for schools to support their visits.
Opening hours
Vallisaari Island 8.6.–21.9.
Mon closed
Tues–Sun 11–18
(open during Midsummer 20.–22.6)
The exhibition on Vallisaari Island is free of charge. There is a fee for the ferry.
HAM Helsinki Art Museum 8.6.–21.9.
Mon closed
Tues 10–17
Wed–Fri 11–19
Sat–Sun 11–17
Entry to HAM is free for those under 18 years old and for the adults accompanying groups of pupils.
Esplanade Park 8.6.–21.9.
The exhibition in Esplanade Park is free of charge.
How can I experience Vallisaari, Esplanade Park and HAM Helsinki Art Museum with my group of pupils?
Vallisaari will be playing host to works by 25 different artists. The island also offers a wealth of experiences in terms of its unique nature and history. All pieces of art in indoor spaces will open to the public at 11am. However, visitors may come to the island as soon as the morning ferries start running, and experience the pieces located outdoors. Vallisaari will also be home to an art workshop space, with varying content in the form of both guided activities and self-led experiences. The workshop space cannot be booked in advance, but groups of pupils are welcome to stop by. Various learning materials to support visits to Vallisaari will be available from early August.
Throughout the biennial, Esplanade Park will feature works by five different artists, with one of the pieces made in collaboration with Helsinki school pupils. Esplanade Park is also an interesting place to visit in its own right, thanks to the public art installed permanently in the park.
Works by a total of 15 artists will be on display at HAM. In addition to the exhibition taking over the grand arched halls, school groups will also be able to enjoy a self-led art workshop, where attendees can explore themes familiar from the biennial as they create their own art. The workshop does not require advance registration. Various learning materials relating to the works at the biennial will be available to schools from early August.
Getting to Vallisaari and ferry bookings
The ferry to Vallisaari leaves from Keisarinluoto quay on the Market Square. The journey to Vallisaari takes approximately 25 minutes. School groups should book their places on the ferry in advance.
For more information about the ferry timetables and prices, and to make group bookings, please click here.
Attention Helsinki schools! The City of Helsinki is supporting Helsinki school groups in visiting Vallisaari. You can book free ferry transport for your group using the booking code sent to you by the City of Helsinki Education Division (also known as KASKO). Please enter the code in the booking form. There are a limited number of free trips for school pupils.
Safety and moving around Vallisaari
When moving around Vallisaari, please keep to the marked routes. Stay on these routes, as the nature on Vallisaari is sensitive to human activity. There are also a lot of dangerous structures and cliffs on this historic island. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring your own water bottle with you.
We recommend that groups of pupils move around the island with their teacher. For safety reasons, please ensure that those aged 12 or under are accompanied by a teacher or other adult in the indoor spaces housing works of art. The teacher shall be responsible for their group for the entire duration of the visit.
Let’s work together to keep Vallisaari clean! Rubbish collection points can be found at various locations along the route. Biowaste and combustible waste (i.e. non-recyclable waste), as well as bottles and cans, can be deposited in dedicated containers on the island. Standard toilets can be found close to the arrival and departure ferry quays. There are also a number of dry toilets along the route.
For more information about moving around the island, as well as its nature and history, please visit luontoon.fi/en.
For more about the services on Vallisaari, see here.
Have questions about visiting with a school group?
For questions about the ferry, please contact:
info@frs-finland.fi
tel. +358 10 202 3780 (Mon–Fri 9:00–15:00)
For questions about the content of school visits and Helsinki Biennial:
Sonja Taimiaho
curator (audience engagement and learning)
sonja.taimiaho@hamhelsinki.fi
tel. +358 40 354 0297