ARToulu art area opens in summer 2026!
The ARToulu art area opens in the European Capital of Culture year 2026 and invites you to experience the joy of discovery when searching for art or encountering it by chance. The works in the art area pause and highlight the layered nature of the common urban space. The works can be found in the Oulu city center, Pikisaari, Hietasaari, Toppilansaari, Toppilansalmi, Meri-Toppila and Tuira districts.
There will be dozens of new public artworks by thirteen artists seleceted through two open calls. The artworks and installations will be situated throughout the art area neighborhoods to form a route inside the city. Nine artists were also selected to produce a series of performances that will take place in public spaces.
The permanent artworks will open for public in the beginning of June 2026. The schedule for the performances you can find in our event calendar.
The link atla.fi/en/oulu2026/kartta/kokoelma/artoulu-taidealue opens the Atla map in a new browser window. If you give permission to use your location data, you will see your location in relation to the artworks.
Artworks
Previous artworks
Performances and time-and-site-specific artworks
Previous Performances and time-and-site-specific artworks
News
Events, guided tours etc.
Events and guided tours in art area!
ARToulu art area hosts numerous events, performances, guided tours and site-specific artworks during 2026.
ARToulu art area hosts numerous events, performances,
guided tours and site-specific artworks during 2026.
ARToulu art area
Guided Cycling and Walking Tours in the ARToulu Art Area in August
Read more >: Guided Cycling and Walking Tours in the ARToulu Art Area in August
Image: Kati Leinonen In the image: Artist Tuuli Malla by the sound art path “Kollʼješkuätt” New public artworks spread across the neighbourhoods of the Oulu River estuary invite residents and visitors to explore art in the urban landscape. The works can be experienced independently or on free guided tours, which continue throughout August.
On the guided walking and cycling tours, audience engagement specialist Hanna‑Leena Ruottinen introduces the stories behind the artworks. The cycling tour to Toppilansaari and Hietasaari proceeds at a calm pace and is suitable for all ages, including children accompanied by an adult. Near the breakwater in Toppilansaari, Anna Tahkola’s work “As time goes by” invites visitors to contemplate the passage of time. Along the popular paddleboarding and canoeing route in Mustasalmi, one can spot Pia Hentunen’s Epifyytit (Epiphytes), imaginary plants that do not naturally grow in Finland.
The tour also visits Sini Talonen’s Maan maan, which rises in the Mustasalmi park and invites visitors to step into its shelter. Sini Talonen herself will be present to talk about her work on the tour held on 22 August.
The briskly paced Jokisuisto cycling tour introduces public artworks on both sides of the estuary. This tour features many of the artworks in the ARToulu area, some of which are on display only until the end of August. Among the summer‑only works is Julijonas Urbonas’ moving lawn, which sets the viewer in motion and opens new perspectives on the surrounding environment. The work is located in Lohipadonniemi Park on Raatinsaari. Internationally renowned artist Julijonas Urbonas will be present during the tour on 29 August. A map of the ARToulu art area is available on the Oulu2026 map service and on the project’s website.
Dance piece as an Anti‑War Protest
The series of performances continues with a timely dance piece. fRAGilE, created by dance artist Kornelia Mangi, is a minimalist, site‑specific dance work – a movement installation made in solidarity with those affected by war. The piece intertwines fragility and rage, revealing the paradox of humanity and acting as a protest against war
The looping movement repeated in the urban space depicts vulnerability, the impossibility of escape, and the cycle of trauma. fRAGilE makes visible the somatic traces of war in both landscape and body, evoking empathy and reminding us that violence and suffering are not distant. They are part of our shared world. The solo performance will take place on Sunday 16 August at 13:00, beginning at Rotuaari Central Square and ending in front of Central Library Saari.
Kollʼješkuätt Sound Path at the Oulu Delta Art Days
At the end of August, Hupisaaret will host the sound path Kollʼješkuätt (21–23 August) by Tuuli Malla, Erja Taskinen, Tero Harju and Aimo Aikio. The work, presenting the life and sounds of the Skolt Sámi region, is part of the Estuary Art Days programme.
ARToulu Art Area is a public art project produced by Oulun Taiteilijaseura‑63 ry and part of the official programme of Oulu European Capital of Culture 2026.
What art area?
A popular walking and cycling route runs along the Oulujoki River from the city center to the seaside at Nallikari and back along the other side of the river. The ARToulu art area spreads across five districts along the river estuary. The area covers the city center, Pikisaari, Hietasaari, Toppila, and Tuira neighborhoods.
Art comes to residential areas and nature—among people, as part of living urban culture. Art pops up and surprises in places where you don’t expect to encounter it. The ordinary everyday environment becomes interesting and special when art is allowed to flourish in urban spaces. Dozens of artworks placed in the environment transform the districts along the Oulujoki river delta into a unique art area.
The works in the art area vary in duration. Some of the works will remain in place for several years, delighting residents and visitors long after the Capital of Culture year. Some of the works are designed to be shorter in duration, lasting until the summer of 2026. The art area will be accessible at all times of the day and year from June 10, 2026.
The works have been selected through national and international open calls, curated by Satu Oksanen, Anna Ruth, and Leevi Lehtinen. The selection process emphasized original and surprising solutions in which art becomes part of the environment. The art area reflects the diversity of visual art and breaks down conventional notions of art in public spaces.
The ARToulu art area is part of the European Capital of Culture 2026 programme. The Oulu Artists Association’s Exploring ART project is financed by the Oulu Cultural Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as the Oulu Artists Association.
Contact us: artoulu2026@gmail.com
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Artists
Artists of the performance program
Oulu is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2026. Oulu and the entire northern Finland will be filled with culture, art, and events in the coming years. Northern Finland will rise to the world map in an unprecedented way as Finnish and international cultural experts create something new in cities, countryside, and nature. It is a journey spanning several years, culminating in the year 2026. ARToulu art area is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and cultural climate change.