THE OPEN CALL FOR 2025 HAS NOW ENDED! THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO APPLIED. WE WILL INFORM THE APPLICANTS ABOUT THE RESULTS BY THE END OF NOVEMBER.
Open Call for exhibitions 2025
at Gallery Forum Box
The Open Call for 2025 is open from 18.8. to 15.9.2023! Last day to submit an application is Friday 15 September, 2023 at 3 PM (Helsinki time, UTC+3). Please read the applying options below.
If you have any questions, please call +358 (0)50 524 1781 or send an e-mail info[ a ] forumbox.fi
The Exhibition Committee, chosen annually from among Forum Box’s member artists, makes the selection for the exhibition programme.
NB! We do not accept paper applications.
EXHIBITION SPACE
The applying options:
– the entire gallery space (300 sq meters) for a solo or a group exhibition, project-specific exhibition or performances
– one ot 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’. Please see the floor plan for more information. 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 (eg. temperature, humidity, surface materials). More information about the space can be asked from Forum Box staff.
Permanto: This room has three solid walls. The room is approx. 65 sq metres and 5,6 metres high.
Monttu: is also 5,6 metres high and the size is about 70 sq metres. This space has stairs leading to the third room, ‘Parvi’.
Parvi: In this space the ceiling is lower and room height is approx. 4,2 metres. ‘Parvi’ is the largest space, 90 sq metres and has a variety of wall space available.
EXHIBITION PERIODS
The standard exhibition time, including mounting and dismantling, is four weeks. For 2025 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 2025
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 excluding the Mediabox. 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.
For exhibitions taking up only one of the three main spaces, the Exhibition Committee will curate a fitting combination of several exhibitions.
COMPENSATION FOR THE USE OF GALLERY
Forum Box aims to gradually lower the exhibition rent and the first rent reductions were implemented in 2020.
RENT CATEGORIES FOR THE GALLERY SPACE 2025 (incl. VAT 24 %):
4 weeks:
2 250 € whole gallery / 850 € one of the three gallery spaces (‘Permanto’, ‘Monttu’ or ‘Parvi’)
2 weeks:
1 400 € whole gallery / 700 € one of the three gallery spaces (‘Permanto’, ‘Monttu’ or ‘Parvi’)
1 week:
1 000 € whole gallery / 500 € 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 24 %).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING
Artists / curators / artistic groups can apply for an exhibition period at Forum Box with an open exhibition proposal. We will not review late applications.
Please note that from autumn 2020 onwards we have not accepted applications on paper anymore!
Send your application to haku [at] forumbox.fi by Friday 15th of September 2023 at 3 PM (Helsinki time, UTC+3) at the latest! We will not review applications that arrive late.
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_2025 and the e-mail titled as OPEN CALL 2025.
OBLIGATORY ATTACHMENTS
The exhibition proposal should be delivered as one pdf file including:
- Filled application form (application form pdf can be found at the end of this page)
- Exhibition plan (max 2 x A4) including information of the preferred exhibition time, 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. Note! We accept only applications that are sent via e-mail. If you have problems with application forms or any other questions about applying, please contact us: info[at]forumbox.fi / +358 (0) 50 5241 781
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, flexible exhibitions 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 given 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 2023. 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/ .
APPLICATION FORM FORUM BOX 2025 (.doc)
APPLICATION FORM FORUM BOX 2025 (.pdf)
Several pdf-files can be merged into one in Adobe Reader or on many different sites online. Search with your search engine eg. “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 eg. “compress pdf files for free”.