OPEN
/CALL
AFA is organizing a group exhibition this spring and is looking for artworks and performances from the members of the community!
If you are not a member yet you can apply for membership when submitting the open call application. The deadline for the open call is March 6th 23:59 Finnish time.
Do you have artworks waiting to be exhibited or a performance you want to test out? AFA is organizing a group exhibition for its members 27.3.-29.3.2026.
The exhibition will take place on 27.3.-29.3.2026 in a 500m2 commercial space in Hertsi shopping centre. With this exhibition, we want to create a platform for AFA member artists to show their work and test out new projects, all within the welcoming atmosphere of our community.
AFA offers each participating artist:
👁
a 100 euro exhibition/performance fee
👁
material support in installation
👁
logistical support
👁
curatorial
support
👁
technical equipment (within reasonable demands)
👁
professional
documentation of each work
👁 possibility to sell their works in the exhibition
Artists are selected through an open call. In the selection process, we place emphasis on the diversity of artistic disciplines, as well as on how the works complement one another and come together in the space. We are looking for finished artworks for the exhibition, as well as performances to be presented as part of the opening programme. The deadline for the open call is March 6th 23:59 Finnish time.
NOT A MEMBER YET?
The open call is open for all AFA members. The membership is 10 euros per year and free for art students who are members of TOKYO, TaiYo or TAO ry. You can apply to be a member of the association with the same form that is used for the open call applications.
Membership offers you:
👁 possibility to participate in exhibitions and shows aimed for AFA members
👁 your shows, exhibitions and events highlighted in AFA’s social media channels
👁 free access to AFA’s events including festival opening and wrap up parties
👁 a coffee moment with the producer to strengthen your plans for exhibitions or art projects with AFA’s vast knowledge on funding, venues, production, comms and partnerships
👁 access to AFA’s network of artists and other professionals who you can collaborate with in your projects
👁 decision making power over the association
👁 long lasting friendships and peer support with other cool artists from various fields
Membership offers you:
👁 possibility to participate in exhibitions and shows aimed for AFA members
👁 your shows, exhibitions and events highlighted in AFA’s social media channels
👁 free access to AFA’s events including festival opening and wrap up parties
👁 a coffee moment with the producer to strengthen your plans for exhibitions or art projects with AFA’s vast knowledge on funding, venues, production, comms and partnerships
👁 access to AFA’s network of artists and other professionals who you can collaborate with in your projects
👁 decision making power over the association
👁 long lasting friendships and peer support with other cool artists from various fields
Open call start
20th March 2026
Send by
6th March 2026 23:59
PRODUCTION
The exhibition will take place
on the 27.-29.3.2026.
Final installation of the works will be carried out during the
on-site in Hertsi 25.-62.3.2026.
Project timeline
20.3. Open Call published
6.3. DL for the open call
10.3. Artists informed on the selection
15.3. The artists will provide the label texts for their artworks as well as the material for communication
25.-26.3. Installation of the works
27.3. Exhibition opening as well as public programme
27.-29.3. Exhibition open to audiences
29.3. Exhibition closing and dismantling of the works
Exhibition / performance fee
AFA provides a 100€/project exhibition fee to the artists and working groups presenting their work. For performance artists the fee compensates one performance as part of the exhibition opening programme. The fee can only be paid with an invoice.
Project materials
AFA also provides general communication, publicity, quality documentation and curatorial and limited technical support in Finnish and English language (engagement with the theme, artworks arrangement and exhibition texts).
At the moment we are not able to provide accommodation or travel expenses.
AFA will provide artists with:
space for exhibiting their work
storage spaces for materials and personal belongings
- logistical support if needed
installation equipment and material (fishing line, wire, basic tools etc.)
- PA-system and microphones for performances
- Technical equipment such as projectors, speakers etc. within reasonable demands
HOW TO APPLY
Go to the online application.
Fill in the details.
Upload the application materials.
Documents/Materials checklist
Write a brief description of the artwork or perfoemance.
Provide more information regarding the artworks or perfomance and their technical requirements in an anonymous PDF document, including supporting material like drafts, sketches, images, etc.
SEND YOUR APPLICATION!
SAFE SPACE
Art for All is committed to safer space guidelines.
The production will follow the principles of a safe work environment.
ART FOR ALL
Art for All ry supports artists and art workers at the beginning of their career and offers a network of peer collaboration. With this mission in mind, the AFA Festival is a platform offering students and emerging talent across Finland visibility and an opportunity to grow. The Festival team puts into practice their knowledge and creativity as artists, technicians, communicators, photographers, curators, project managers, to bring the Festival to life.
Art For All ry was started by students and alumni from the University of the Arts and Aalto University. The first edition of the AFA Festival took place at Malmi Airport Hangar in August 2021, the second on in Kaisaniemi Botanical gardens 2022, the third in the residential buildings of Kalasatama neighborhood in 2023, and the fourth in the empty commercial spaces of shopping center Easton Hansakäytävä in 2025.
END NOTES