The Mikkeli Art Museum has been in temporary premises for three years. The lease is now valid until 2026, but according to the amanuensis, the premises are not suitable for museum use.
The Mikkeli Art Museum has struggled with space problems for years.
The museum currently does not have its own premises, but will operate in temporary premises in the shopping center for at least another four years. There is no information about permanent premises yet.
The art museum’s collections, such as Martti Airio’s art collection and Johannes Haapasalo’s art collection, are located in various spaces around the city. In terms of the works, it would be important that the premises had, among other things, the right temperature and humidity.
The Art Museum moved from the Graniittitalo premises to temporary premises in the Aksel Shopping Center in 2019. The lease is valid until 2026, but after that the future is uncertain again.
– The museum can’t just change that, the spaces have to be planned carefully. That’s why the new premises should be registered in the city’s investment program now, says Hyvönen.
Hyvönen considers the Mikkeli harbor area, the development of which has been talked about a lot, as one possible place for the new premises to be built for the museum.
– If there is to be public construction there, then what better than an art museum. At the same time, you could look at the premises of the Suur-Savo Museum, which currently operates in miserable premises, Hyvönen thinks.
Getting new premises depends on the city’s office holders and decision-makers. Hyvönen says that he discussed the possibility of new premises with the city, but according to Hyvönen, the city does not listen to the wishes of the museum.
– I would like the city to have a cultural will now. Since the construction of Mikael, there has not been such an investment in culture. It’s about time.
The Mikaeli congress and concert hall was completed in Mikkeli in 1989.