Siida is the Museum of the Year 2024

The Museum of the Year award, the Esko sculpture designed by Pekka Kauhanen, is presented to a museum that has significantly contributed to the museum sector’s visibility in society and impact in its operating area, and whose activities have introduced new or different perspectives and ideas to the museum sector. The award is presented by the Finnish National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Finnish Museums Association.

Sámi Museum and Nature Centre Siida is the Museum of the Year 2024

The jury described Sámi Museum and Nature Centre Siida as follows:

Sámi Museum Siida works in close collaboration with the Sámi Parliament, the region's tourism operators and the Metsähallitus Nature Centre located in the same building. It is the most significant destination for visitors to northern Lapland. Located in the heart of its cultural environment, Siida has made a significant contribution to the museum sector’s visibility in society and impact by making ethical issues and the museum's existence for its local community key aspects of its content. Siida has emerged as an increasingly important influencer in society and a participant in public dialogue. In this respect, it also serves as an example to the other Nordic countries. 

Siida works both regionally and nationally in order to preserve the vitality of Sámi history, traditions, objects and languages. With its new building, the museum has spaces for its collections, exhibitions, visitors and employees that meet today's needs, but the museum's transformative activities in its widespread community are even more important than the building itself.

Siida has received returns of significant artefacts from other Finnish museums, and many processes are still under way to repatriate Sámi artefacts from outside Finland. The repatriation of artefacts has given members of the Sámi community access to the objects of their ancestors. The museum has created culturally considerate practices in order to engage its community in the museum’s work and to collect valuable information on the cultural heritage of the Sámi people. Siida’s resolute efforts have increased the Sámi community's understanding and appreciation of its culture. 

Having artefacts returned from other museums has reinforced the message and societal significance of Siida's new permanent exhibition. Nature and culture go hand in hand in the exhibition, and for the first time in Finland, the Sámi people have told their stories themselves. They now feel that Siida is genuinely their museum".

"Lintuhuviloita Savonlinnasta haudankaivaja Ruuskasen tapaan" is the Museum Publication of the Year 2024

The Museum Publication of the Year award is presented to a publication that is innovative in its content and presentation and reaches its target audience exceptionally well. Four finalists were selected from a number of commendable publications entered into the competition: "Lintuhuviloita Savonlinnasta haudankaivaja Ruuskasen tapaan" ("Gravedigger Ruuskanen's bird houses in Savonlinna"), "Kohtalona Ruotsinsalmi – Tutkimuksia pintaa syvemmältä" ("Fateful Svensksund – Stories Beneath the Surface"), "Ikikallion tarinoita – mammuteista meidän aikaamme" ("Ikikallio Stories – from Mammoths to the Present Day") and "Taidesauna, Art Sauna".

The Museum Publication of the Year 2024 award was presented to the book "Lintuhuviloita Savonlinnasta haudankaivaja Ruuskasen tapaan" published by Riihisaari – Savonlinna Museum. The authors of the book are Ville Vilén and Kimmo Heikkilä.

"The Museum Publication of the Year, 'Lintuhuviloita Savonlinnasta haudankaivaja Ruuskasen tapaan', provides the reader with insight into the local history of Savonlinna and highlights one individual's extraordinary love for making art and his hometown." Visually stunning, playful and beautifully written, the book captures urban culture and history in a unique way. It is a feel-good book that inspires the local people and visitors to cherish Savonlinna's history and architectural heritage," the jury wrote.

The Special Award 2024 was presented to Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti

The jury also presented a special award to Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti, which was one of the finalists in the Museum of the Year competition. The jury has the option of presenting the special award to recognise significant acts in the museum sector or long-term contributions to the development of the sector.

"The museums of Varkaus have engaged in remarkably determined and long-term efforts to promote museum operations. Their hard work and persistence have been rewarded now that the new Museum Centre Konsti has opened in Vanha koulu, an old school building that is important to the local residents. The museum has also been successful in uncovering the town's authentic local identity, which has inspired both the local residents and the old Varkaus tourism network. Various public events, surveys and customer panels have been used to engage the local residents' interest in the development of museum operations. The public has played a key role in the selection of objects for Konsti's new permanent exhibition, for example. Varkaus Museum Centre Konsti is presented with the Museum of the Year special award for its innovative and impactful work in its local community," wrote the jury.

The jury

The chairperson of the jury is Maj Meriluoto, Head of Exhibitions at Museum Centre Vapriikki, and the other members are Minna Sartes, Integration Director at the City of Turku, Eeva Teräsvirta, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs at at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Pasi Huttunen, journalist at the Outokummun Seutu newspaper, Elina Bonelius, Museum Director at the City of Vaasa, Erik Tirkkonen, Exhibitions Curator at the National Museum of Finland, and Nikke Kaartinen, Museum Director at Riihisaari – Savonlinna Museum (the representative of the winner of the Museum of the Year 2023 competition). Communications Specialist Kirsti Ruissalo from the Finnish Museums Association serves as secretary to the jury. Nikke Kaartinen and Erik Tirkkonen did not participate in assessing the candidates for the Museum Publication of the Year award due to reasons of impartiality.