Helsinki Art Museum (HAM) | Helsinki

Information

Landmark: Helsinki Art Museum (HAM)
City: Helsinki
Country: Finland
Continent: Europe

Helsinki Art Museum (HAM), Helsinki, Finland, Europe

The Helsinki Art Museum (HAM) is a contemporary art museum. It is located within the Tennispalatsi building in Helsinki, Finland.

Visual Characteristics

The Helsinki Art Museum is housed within the Tennispalatsi building, a functionalist structure completed in 1938. The exterior features light-colored plaster facades and large, multi-pane windows. The building has a relatively low, sprawling profile, characteristic of its original purpose as a sports arena.

Location & Access Logistics

HAM is located at Salomonkatu 15, in the Kamppi district of Helsinki. It is approximately 0.5 km west of the city center (Central Railway Station). Underground parking is available at the Kamppi Centre, directly adjacent to Tennispalatsi. The Kamppi Metro Station is directly connected to the building. Numerous bus and tram lines stop at the Kamppi Centre, including tram lines 2, 4, 7, and 9.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The Tennispalatsi building was constructed in 1938, designed by architect Helge Lundström. Its original purpose was to serve as a tennis arena for the 1940 Olympic Games, which were later cancelled due to World War II. HAM opened in this location in 2015.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view the museum's collection of over 9,000 artworks, primarily focusing on Finnish modern and contemporary art. Temporary exhibitions are regularly presented across two floors. Guided tours are available on specific days and times. The museum also features two large murals by Tove Jansson.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on all exhibition floors. The building provides ample indoor climate-controlled spaces. 4G/5G cell phone signal is consistently available throughout the museum. A café and restaurant are located within the Tennispalatsi building, adjacent to the museum entrance.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is an indoor facility, making it suitable for visits year-round. Weekday mornings typically offer fewer visitors. Photography inside the museum is generally permitted without flash.

Facts & Legends

The Tennispalatsi building was one of the first in Finland to feature a fully air-conditioned cinema complex, which still operates today alongside HAM. A lesser-known fact is that the building's original design included a rooftop swimming pool, which was never realized.