Principles

Mikkeli Centre of Photography is a contemporary art centre and museum, specializing in art photography. The centre promotes Finnish photographic art and visual culture. The centre displays exhibitions of photography, designs and executes publications, conducts research on photography and visual arts and organises art and media education. The exhibition season is all year round.

Focus

Mikkeli Centre of Photography focuses on the following:

  • art photography,
  • photography and cultural heritage,
  • art and media education, especially for children and youth,
  • connection between photography and other visual arts,
  • photography, visual arts and well-being.

Board and members

The centre is maintained by the Mikkeli Centre of Photography Society. There are over 40 members in the Society. The Society has a board of four members who are media, art, photography and art research professionals.

Collaboration

Mikkeli Centre of Photography has worked together in cooperation with several artists, partners and organisations. The aim of the Centre´s work is to support and promote versatile fields of photography and visual culture. The centre welcomes visits and co-operation with educational and other institutions. Our main collabotors are the Cultural Services of Mikkeli City and Arts Promotion Centre Finland. Among others, we have worked in cooperation with Regional State Administrative Agencies and Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.

History

Mikkeli Centre of Photography Society was registered as a society in 1989. The Society has maintained as the governing body of the Mikkeli Centre of Photography. Mikkeli Centre of Photography began its work in 1989. During its first 20 years it was located next to the market square in the centre of City of Mikkeli.

The construction of the new Centre started in autumn 2010. The Centre rented a cultural historical building for its new headquarters. The new Centre opened on 4.12.2010 at the Mikkeli University Campus. The new exhibition spaces were designed and constructed by the team of the Mikkeli Centre of Photography. The galleries have mobility access, high quality equipment for lighting as well as for humidity and temperature control.

In the new location the activities of the Centre have expanded from the exhibitions to research, publications, art printing and educational programme. In 2011 the Centre started its own Mikkeli Centre of Photography Publication Series. So far the Centre has organised over 250 exhibitions.