Open call for portfolios: Vantaa Light Rail Art

We invite professional artists and artist groups to participate in the Vantaa light rail project’s open call for portfolios. We are searching for artists who are interested in designing permanent and temporary public artworks for changing everyday environments that are being quickly built. We hope to receive portfolios from artists of different backgrounds and who work either in Finland or abroad. The open call is open to all art professionals.

Art as part of the light rail and urban space

The Vantaa light rail is a large-scale urban structure project, and in connection with this, we will be implementing an extensive and diverse public art project. The artworks will become part of Vantaa Art Museum Artsi’s collection. Among other places, the artworks will be located along the light rail at stops, station environments, the route’s urban spaces, green areas, as well as on the structures and interfaces that travelers and residents will encounter every day.

Art along the light rail requires an understanding of different viewing distances, including aspects such as long-distance views, focal points and scale, as well as motion, rhythm and repetition. In addition, artists must take into account the artworks’ weatherproofing, wear and maintenance, as well as be prepared to work together with design and construction specialists in various areas of engineering.

Aim of the open call

At this phase, the open call is not for any specific artwork location, and we are not looking for finished artwork proposals. The aim is to collect a portfolio bank of suitable artists for the artworks that will be created along the light rail route and in the infrastructure environment. Vantaa Light Rail Art’s art committee will submit proposals to the light rail art project regarding artists to be invited to invitational competitions and restricted calls for proposals. The art committee consists of experts in the arts, artists and Vantaa Art Museum staff.

Vantaa Light Rail Art

Vantaa Light Rail Art is part of the Vantaa light rail project and the specified master plan for the light rail’s art. The aim of the art is to strengthen the regions’ identity, enrich the experience of traveling and mobility, and to make art a part of the everyday lives of Vantaa residents.

The art program will be implemented in stages as the construction of the light rail progresses, and it will include many different art projects of different scales. The open call for portfolios supports the preparation of future art procurements for the construction project, which is progressing at a fast pace.

Participation instructions 

Open call period

Dec. 19, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026

Applicant professionalism

The applicant or at least one member of the working group must have a vocational qualification in the arts, completed either in Finland or abroad, or proven experience of several years of work as a professional visual artist (for example, awarded grants, works in collections or public spaces or exhibition activities).

One PDF file containing the following must be attached to the application

- A CV with a maximum of 2 A4 pages.
- A portfolio with a maximum of 5 examples of previous works, including concept and material descriptions. If the portfolio contains links to videos, audio or other media files, make sure that the links work and enclose any necessary passwords.
- A short motivation letter: In the light rail environment and public urban spaces, what is it that interests you as an artist? What kinds of scales, materials, techniques or working methods are you skilled at using? If you wish, you can also consider the significance of the user experience and inclusion in your work. We are interested in your artistic way of thinking, working methods and the ways you feel your work is suitable for the public urban spaces along the light rail.
- The maximum size of the PDF file is 20 Mb.
- The file must be submitted by the deadline to the address: julkinentaide@vantaa.fi
By submitting a portfolio, the applicant consents to the processing of their personal data for the purposes described in this open call notice and for carrying out the open call process. Personal data will be processed at Vantaa Art Museum Artsi.

Processing of personal data at Vantaa Art Museum Artsi | Vantaa (in finnish)

Questions about the open call?

Please send any questions about the open call for portfolios by Jan. 7, 2026, via email: mia.erlin@wsp.com
The questions and answers will be compiled and published on the Vantaa Art Museum Artsi’s website starting from Jan. 13, 2026.