How else can an art collector support Finnish visual arts besides expanding their own collection? By establishing international connections, inspiring artists in their work, and raising the public's appreciation for visual arts? This question sparked the founding of the Henna and Pertti Niemistö Ars Fennica Art Foundation sr in 1990.
The foundation’s founders, art collectors Henna Niemistö (1933–2004) and Pertti Niemistö (1931–1999), who were influential in the food industry and in business more broadly, donated the foundation’s initial capital, which has allowed it to award one of the Nordic countries’ largest visual arts prizes since 1991. Alongside the foundation, the Niemistös built a significant art collection, which was deposited in 1995 at the Hämeenlinna Art Museum in Finland.
Passion for art inspired Henna and Pertti Niemistö’s son, economist and entrepreneur Kari Niemistö (b. 1962), and his wife, Leena Niemistö (b. 1963), a medical doctor, honorary Doctor of Administrative Sciences, and board professional, to continue developing the foundation’s activities and to expand the private art collection Niemistö Collection. Under Leena and Kari’s leadership, the Ars Fennica Prize, awarded every other year, has become one of the most recognized and prestigious art awards in the Nordic countries, accompanied by an exhibition.
The Niemistö Collection, now spanning two generations, continues to grow and currently includes over 600 works, ranging from the 1950s to the present. Among these acquisitions are numerous works by Nordic artists who have been awarded or nominated for the Ars Fennica Prize.
