The main message of the Oulu2026 cultural programme is that of a cultural climate change, which will be presented through three themes: Wild City, Cool Contrasts and Brave Hinterland. Each theme will be launched by a major international flagship production.
Climate Clock, a public art project in different parts of Oulu and its surroundings, is the spearhead of the Brave Hinterland theme. The project will produce six permanent artworks. The aim is to create a new cultural walking path with artworks that reflect the region’s climate awareness and ability to adapt to the changing environment. The project is curated by artistic director Alice Sharp from the UK-based Invisible Dust organisation.
Climate Clock will be integrated into the city’s art collection managed by the Oulu Art Museum, and the museum’s collection team is involved in the preparations of the project.
Another important public art project in the Oulu2026 cultural programme is the Exploring ART project of the Oulu Artists’ Association -63. A new art zone called ARToulu will span seven neighbourhoods with art popping up in unexpected places. Dozens of works will transform the Oulu River estuary into an interesting and original artistic area with most of the works located in neighbourhoods with large surface areas and populations but little public art – until now.
Many of the works will remain in the city’s public spaces for shorter or longer periods as part of the city’s art collection managed by the Oulu Art Museum, and the museum’s collection team is involved in the preparations for the project.
The Oulu2026 culture programme will also produce a series of murals between 2022 and 2026. Mural sites will be selected through an annual district vote open to all citizens living in Oulu. In autumn 2022, British artist Eloise Gillow’s work Turning Point was completed on the end wall of an apartment building at Ruiskukkatie 3 in Rajakylä. The 2023 mural will be created by Canadian architect and artist Ilona Pichon, who also created a mural called In the Doorway at Valtatie 54 in Tuira. Both artists were selected through a global portfolio call in 2022 out of 530 artists from 64 countries.
In 2026, the cultural capital year, another mural will be painted in the city centre. After completion, all the works will be included in the City’s art collection managed by the Oulu Art Museum.
The mural projects are coordinated by Upeart, a public art specialist group involved in the Oulu2026 cultural programme with the Urban Art for Everyday Joy project. The artists are selected by a jury consisting of representatives from the Oulu Cultural Foundation, Upeart, Oulu Art Museum and a rotating artist member. Katariina Kemppainen, a curator at the Oulu Art Museum, represents the museum in the jury.