Open Call for 2026 at Gallery Forum Box
The Open Call has ended, thank you for all the applicants. Results will be informed by the end of November 2024.
The Open Call for exhibition for 2026 is runing from September 2–30, 2024!
Artists, curators and working groups can apply for exhibition time at the Forum Box. The Exhibition Committee, chosen annually from among Forum Box’s member artists, makes the selection for the exhibition programme.
Last day to submit an application is Monday, September 30, 2024 at 3 PM (Helsinki time, UTC+3). Please read the applying information below.
EXHIBITION SPACE
The applying options:
– the entire gallery space (300 m²) for a solo or a group exhibition, project or performance
– one or two of the three gallery spaces for a solo exhibition, project or performance
The gallery space is divided into three different exhibition rooms. The space called ‘Permanto’ is on the right side when entering the gallery, ‘Monttu’ is on the left side and the space in the back is called ‘Parvi’. When applying for one of the spaces please use the correct name – Permanto, Monttu or Parvi. Please note that there might be three different exhibitions at the same time if you apply only for one of the spaces. The other exhibitions may include for example pieces with sound. All exhibition spaces can be darkened with the artist’s own curtains. However, the gallery’s windows should not be covered. The exhibition space is given for use in the condition as it is at the beginning of the exhibition agreement period. Please notice the charasteristics of our original exhibition space (e.g. temperature, humidity, surface materials). More information about the space please contact the Forum Box staff.
Permanto: This room has three solid walls. The room is approx. 65 m² and 5,6 metres high.
Monttu: is also 5,6 metres high and the size is about 70 m². This space has stairs leading to the third room, ‘Parvi’.
Parvi: This is the largest space, 90 m² and has a variety of wall space available. The room height is approx. 4,2 metres.
Please see the floor plan and the video of the space at the end of the page for more information.
EXHIBITION PERIODS
The standard exhibition time, including mounting and dismantling, is four weeks. For 2026 you can also apply for shorter periods of one or two weeks. The shorter slots are also total times including mounting, dismantling and the exhibiting time.
You can now apply for an exhibition time for January–December 2026.
Options:
– 4 weeks exhibition time
– 1–2 weeks exhibition or project time
– Other types of time proposals are also considered on a case-by-case basis
Other space and time proposals are welcomed and considered on a case-by-case basis. The basis for pricing is a special hourly rate for all art project venue rentals.
When applying for the whole space for 4 weeks the selected applicant will have the whole gallery space for their use. For exhibitions taking up only one of the three main spaces, the Exhibition Committee will curate a fitting combination of several exhibitions.
NB! Forum Box requires that the artist does not exhibit their works in the greater Helsinki region in a solo exhibition or similar for 12 months before the exhibition in Forum Box or during the exhibition in Forum Box.
In addition to the previously mentioned gallery spaces there is a small, independent media art space called Mediabox located at the gallery. The programme for this space is curated by Forum Box in cooperation with AV-arkki.
During solo exhibitions there won’t be any other exhibitions or projects at the gallery, but Forum Box’s multidisciplinary evening program, discussions and private events may take place. We rent the gallery space out for private events outside gallery’s normal opening hours and under the terms of the current exhibitions.
COMPENSATION FOR THE USE OF GALLERY
Forum Box has implemented rent reductions since 2020 and aims to be a completely rent-free exhibition space in 2026. However, the rental prices below have been defined for the time being. Possible rent refunds and rent reductions after receiving the exhibition time are possible depending on the financial situation of Forum Box and the grants received.
RENT CATEGORIES FOR THE GALLERY SPACE 2026 (incl. VAT 25,5 %):
4 weeks:
1 125 € whole gallery / 425 € one of the three gallery spaces (‘Permanto’, ‘Monttu’ or ‘Parvi’)
2 weeks:
700 € whole gallery / 350 € one of the three gallery spaces (‘Permanto’, ‘Monttu’ or ‘Parvi’)
1 week:
500 € whole gallery / 250 € one of the three gallery spaces (‘Permanto’, ‘Monttu’ or ‘Parvi’)
The exhibition rent for the gallery space at Forum Box includes marketing, communications, customer service for the exhibition and sales. The rent doesn’t include insurance of artworks, transportation nor catering for the opening. Forum Box withholds 40 % provision from the sales (+ VAT 25,5 %).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING
Send your application to haku [at] forumbox.fi by Monday, September 30, 2024 at 3 PM (Helsinki time, UTC+3). We will not review applications that arrive late. We do not accept applications on paper.
The application should be one (1) max. 4MB sized pdf-file including the filled application form (that can be downloaded at the end of these instructions) and the required attachments.
The application pdf should be named as Firstname_Lastname_Open Call_2026 and the e-mail titled as OPEN CALL 2026.
APPLICATION AND ATTACHMENTS
The exhibition proposal should be delivered as one pdf file including:
- Filled application form (application form can be found below)
- Exhibition plan (max 2 x A4) including information of the duration of the exhibition and preferred time slot, use of the space, the possible theme(s) of the exhibition or project and pieces to be exhibited. Please mention in the application any special arrangements, such as plans to darken the space or if there will be works with sound on display
- CV of the artist / artist group / curator
- Approx. 10 images of the applicant’s recent artwork(s) or projects, preferably in colour.
You may also include links to images or video works in the application.
APPLICATION FORM FORUM BOX 2026 (.doc)
APPLICATION FORM FORUM BOX 2026 (.pdf)
Several pdf-files can be merged into one in Adobe Reader or on many different sites online. Search with your search engine e.g. “merge pdf files for free”.
Big pdf-files can be compressed in Adobe Reader or on many different sites online. Search with your search engine e.g. “compress pdf files for free”.
EXHIBITION SELECTIONS
The exhibition selection is carried out according to Forum Box’s strategic guidelines. The aim of our strategy is to improve artists’ working possibilities and to create an outstanding, multi-faceted exhibition programme. The annually rotating Exhibition Committee, together with the gallery’s executive director, are responsible for the versatility of the exhibition programme. The team may also choose exhibition proposals outside of the open call, but the open call will remain the core of the yearly exhibition programme. The chosen artists are provided with additional support from Forum Box throughout the planning period of the exhibition if they so wish. Every chosen artist will be assigned a mentor/contact person amongst the Exhibitions Committee. The mentor will be supporting the artists if needed along the whole exhibition process.
Forum Box contributes to improving the financial status of artists. The Board of Forum Box decided in spring 2019 to reduce the exhibition rent step by step, starting from the year 2020. Any possible new changes will always be personally communicated to the chosen artists.
All the applicants will be informed of the results by the end of November 2024. If you haven’t heard from us by the end of November, please contact us info [at] forumbox.fi or +358 (0)50 524 1781.
ACCESS RIDER
The selected artists can send us their Access Rider if they have one. Access Rider is a tool originally created by artist Johanna Hedva to improve the working conditions of disabled artists. Access Rider is a document in which the artist can list their needs, wishes, and boundaries regarding the collaboration.
Jessie Bullivant and Jemina Lindholm have introduced the concept in the Finnish context as part of Frame Contemporary Art Finland’s Rehearsing Hospitalities program. You can download the Access Rider publication from Frame’s website for free: https://frame-finland.fi/en/resources/access-riders/ .
VIDEO AND FLOOR PLAN
Please note: The architecture of the entrance has changed, see the floor plan below for the current situation.