New Classics Fund for Visual Arts Organisations (Finland)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The New Classics Fund provides grants to professional visual arts organisations in Finland to strengthen the position and societal significance of art while increasing the life cycle, audiences, circulation, and visibility of visual arts works and productions. For the 2027–2029 funding period, the programme focuses on visual arts organisations and offers a combination of a basic grant and additional funding calculated according to artwork sales. The total grant can reach up to €250,000 over three years. The funding period runs from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029, and the application deadline is September 15, 2026.

About the New Classics Fund

The New Classics Fund was established to strengthen the role of art in Finnish society and improve the position and visibility of the visual arts sector. The fund places particular emphasis on extending the life cycle of visual arts works and productions, reaching new audiences, encouraging circulation, and increasing public visibility. The programme operates on a biennial basis, alternating between support for the performing arts and visual arts. This funding round specifically focuses on professional organisations working in the visual arts. What Are the Objectives of the Fund? The New Classics Fund aims to support the long-term development and societal relevance of art in Finland.

Its objectives include:

- Strengthening the role and relevance of art in society - Increasing the visibility and circulation of visual arts works - Expanding audiences for visual arts - Supporting cooperation across administrative boundaries and funding forms - Improving the cost-effectiveness of artistic production - Increasing public awareness of artistic production - Supporting the work and growth of artists already established in the Finnish art field The programme therefore combines financial support with broader goals related to the sustainability, visibility, and development of professional visual arts activity. How Does the New Classics Funding Model Work? The funding model is distinctive because it combines a basic grant with an additional calculated share linked to artwork sales. The basic grant is determined through a means test and ranges from €30,000 to €100,000. In addition, eligible organisations may receive a calculated share corresponding to their sales revenue, subject to specified limits. This structure is intended to recognise organisations that actively contribute to the circulation and sale of visual arts works. How Much Funding Is Available? The total grant can reach up to €250,000 for the full three-year funding period. The funding consists of two main components. Basic Grant

The basic grant:

- Ranges from €30,000 to €100,000 - Is determined through a means test - Is paid in a single instalment Calculated Sales-Based Share In addition to the basic grant, organisations may receive a calculated share equal to their sales revenue. The additional amount is subject to these limits: - Up to €10,000 per individual work - Up to €50,000 per year - Up to €150,000 over the entire three-year funding period When combined, the basic grant and calculated sales-based share can result in a maximum total grant of €250,000. Funding Period The New Classics Fund covers a three-year funding period: January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2029 Organisations applying for support should therefore consider how their activities, exhibitions, artwork sales, audience development, and broader organisational growth fit within this period. Who Can Apply? The fund is intended for professional visual arts organisations operating in Finland.

Eligible applicants include:

- Professional galleries - Art lending libraries - Other visual arts organisations registered in Finland Applicants must organise exhibitions and sell artworks to the public.

Their operations must also be:

- Professional - High-quality - Year-round The programme is particularly intended to support organisations contributing to the development, circulation, visibility, and public reach of visual arts in Finland. Who Is Not Eligible? Several categories of organisations are excluded from the New Classics Fund. The following are not eligible to apply: - Public entities - Operators receiving state subsidies for culture - National art institutions - Organisations with an active New Classics funding period after January 1, 2027 - Organisations whose de minimis grant would exceed €300,000 over the three-year period Applicants should carefully consider these exclusions before preparing an application. Supporting Established Finnish Artists The New Classics Fund specifically aims to support the work and growth of artists who are already established in the Finnish art field. This focus distinguishes the programme from funding schemes primarily aimed at emerging artists or early-stage artistic development. Eligible visual arts organisations should therefore demonstrate how their work contributes to the continued development, visibility, circulation, and public reach of established artistic production. Increasing the Visibility of Visual Arts A major focus of the programme is improving the visibility of visual arts works and productions. The fund seeks to increase opportunities for artworks to reach audiences, circulate more widely, and have a longer life cycle. Professional galleries, art lending libraries, and other eligible organisations can play an important role in achieving these objectives through exhibitions, public sales, audience engagement, and professional artistic production. Encouraging Cooperation The New Classics Fund also aims to encourage cooperation across administrative boundaries and funding forms. This reflects a broader objective of strengthening collaboration within the visual arts ecosystem and improving how artistic production is supported and communicated to the public. Organisations should therefore consider how their activities contribute to cooperation and wider sector developmen