The exhibition area is located approximately two kilometres from downtown Oulu in the Oulu River estuary. Vaakunanranta is part of the wider Hartaanselänranta area that extends from Hietasaari to Tuira where the city has included an obligation to follow the percentage principle in the zoning plan, the land use and rental conditions and the building code.
In winter 2023, Oulu’s first art programme for a regional development site was created for the Vaakunanranta housing exhibition area. The art programme is the result of work by art coordinator Moosa Myllykangas and the Housing Exhibition Art Steering Group. The steering group includes members from the Oulu Art Museum, the Oulu Housing Exhibition Office, Oulu Infra, the Oulu Cultural Foundation, the construction authority and the city’s town planning and cultural services. The group is chaired by curator Elina Vieru from the Oulu Art Museum.
By the time the Housing Exhibition opens in July 2025, several public artworks commissioned by the Oulu Art Museum will be completed in the exhibition area. The cost of the works will be paid from art funds consisting of a contribution from the City of Oulu and contributions from the developers of the land area. The number of works will depend on the number of sites to be built in the exhibition area, which means the current economic situation in the construction sector will also play a role. Over time, the exhibition area will also be the site of percentage artworks, which will be purchased by developers of apartment blocks and other building contractors in the area.
Information on the selection and completion of public works funded from the art fund will be updated on the Art Museum’s website under the public art news.