Leevi Haapala, director of Kiasma, the museum of contemporary art, has applied for a new position, director of the Norwegian National Museum. According to Haapala, contacted by Yle, there were several reasons for the search.
The National Museum of Norway, Nasjonalmuseet is located in Oslo. The new National Museum, opened in June last year, is the largest art museum in the Nordic countries.
Leevi Haapala lists several reasons for applying for a position.
– The National Museum of Norway is one of the most ambitious museum projects in the Nordic countries at the moment. It is a new and wonderful museum that has already been visited by a million people, says Haapala.
The museum has both old and new art. In addition, the museum presents design and architecture.
– Throughout my career, I have considered internationality and Nordic visibility as important themes. It is possible to display them in the National Museum of Norway.
Haapala says that if he is elected, he is ready to move to Norway.
– Of course I would, if that happened. It’s been six years.
Large international search
The museum had an open international application for the position of director. Initially, there were 33 applicants, but three of them have since withdrawn their applications.
According to the list of names, Haapala is the only Finnish applicant. Not everyone has given permission to publish their name, so there may be other Finns in the group.
The new director of the National Museum of Norway is supposed to be appointed before the summer.
Leevi Haapala has been the museum director of the contemporary art museum Kiasma since June 2015. His current, second five-year term ends next year.
Have you also applied for positions other than Norway?
– I will not comment on that, Haapala answers.