The foundation’s board appoints a jury that selects four candidates as well as an international expert who chooses the winner. In addition to Finnish artists, artists from the Nordic countries and the Baltic states may also be selected.
Jury
Leena Niemistö
Chairperson of the Jury, Vice Chairperson of the Board, Phd, Dr. Admin. Sc. Hc, Board Professional, Venture Capitalist
Dr. Leena Niemistö (b. 1963) is a board professional and investor. She was the CEO of the healthcare company Dextra in 2003–2016 and the deputy CEO of the social and healthcare service provider Pihlajalinna in 2013–2016. Niemistö served as the chair of the board of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet in 2016–2025. She has also served as the chair of the jury for the Ars Fennica Award since 2004. Niemistö is a member of the supervisory boards of the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Uniarts Helsinki and the Finnish National Theatre. In addition to her board work in arts organisations, Niemistö has served as a board member in various companies and communities; she is currently a board member of Pihlajalinna, the food company Raisio and the medical technology company Nexstim, for example.
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The jury for the 2027 Ars Fennica Prize will be announced in September 2026.
Previous jurys
2025
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Leevi Haapala, Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts in Helsinki
Arja Miller, Director of HAM – Helsinki Art Museum
Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Visual Artist
2023
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Leevi Haapala, Museum Director
Kai Kartio, Museum Director
Eija-Liisa Ahtila, Visual Artist
2021
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Leevi Haapala, Museum Director
Kai Kartio, Museum Director
Kari Vehosalo, Visual Artist
2019
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Leevi Haapala, Museum Director
Kai Kartio, Museum Director
Jussi Kivi, Visual Artist
2017
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Leevi Haapala, Museum Director
Jussi Kivi, Visual Artist
Elina Merenmies, Painter
2012–2015
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Pirkko Siitari, Museum Director
Elina Merenmies, Painter
Markus Kåhre, Sculptor
2010–2011
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Berndt Arell, Director
Elina Merenmies, Painter
Matti Peltokangas, Sculptor
2009
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Berndt Arell, Museum Director
Matti Peltokangas, Sculptor
Henry Wuorila-Stenberg, Painter
2008
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Tuula Karjalainen, PhD
Matti Peltokangas, Sculptor
Henry Wuorila-Stenberg, Painter
2005–2007
Leena Niemistö, Chairperson, PhD, Dr. Admin. Sc. hc and board professional
Heikki Häiväoja, Sculptor
Tuula Karjalainen, Museum Director
Henry Wuorila-Stenberg, Painter
2002–2004
Henna Niemistö, Chairperson, MSocSc
Heikki Häiväoja, Sculptor
Tuula Karjalainen, Museum Director
Mari Rantanen, Painter
1999–2001
Henna Niemistö, Chairperson, MSocSc
Juhana Blomstedt, Painter
Ulla Huhtamäki, Museum Director
Heikki Häiväoja, Sculptor
1997–1998
Henna Niemistö, Chairperson, MSocSc
Tuula Arkio, Museum Director
Heikki Häiväoja, Sculptor
Jukka Mäkelä, Painter
1992–1996
Henna Niemistö, Chairperson, MSocSc
Tuula Arkio, Museum Director
Harry Kivijärvi, Sculptor
Juhani Linnovaara, Painter
1991
Henna Niemistö, Chairperson, MSocSc
Tuula Karjalainen, PhD
Harry Kivijärvi, Sculptor
Juhani Linnovaara, Painter