Art across borders: PMP exhibition as part of Oulu2026
As we move closer to the upcoming PMP exhibitions this autumn, we want to highlight a special connection: the PMP exhibition hosted by Lapland University of Applied Sciences in Tornio will be part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme.
Oulu, a city in Northern Finland, was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2026 together with 39 partner municipalities across the region. Throughout the year, Oulu2026 will bring together over a thousand cultural events under the theme Cultural Climate Change, showcasing the richness of northern culture and strengthening connections between local communities and the wider European cultural landscape. The PMP exhibition in Tornio is proud to be one of these events.
Art in everyday life
Oulu2026 brings together over a thousand events across Northern Finland, with a shared aim of expanding how and where culture is experienced. Art is not limited to traditional venues. Instead, Oulu2026 brings art to everyday environments and reaches new audiences across the region.
This same idea lies at the heart of the PMP exhibition in Tornio. By taking place in Galleria Kortteeri, located in a shopping centre at the Swedish-Finnish border, the exhibition invites people to experience contemporary art as part of their daily lives. It lowers the threshold for participation and makes artistic experiences accessible to broader audiences.
Shared goals: inclusion, connection and collaboration
There are clear parallels between the goals of PMP project and Oulu2026. Both emphasise inclusion, accessibility, and new forms of connection. PMP project has supported artists in building their professional media presence and engaging with audiences through contemporary media and collaborative practices, while Oulu2026 highlights how culture can connect people, places and perspectives across Northern Europe.
At the same time, both initiatives strengthen international collaboration rooted in local contexts. PMP project has brought together artists from across Europe to co-create and share their work, while Oulu2026 positions Northern Finland as an active and visible part of the European cultural landscape.
The PMP events in Tornio
The Forms of Presence exhibition in Tornio is a concrete meeting point of these two approaches. It connects Finnish and Lapland -based activities with a wider European network of artists, while contributing to a region-wide cultural celebration. For visitors, it offers a chance to experience how artistic work, identity and presence are shaped in today’s interconnected world – both locally and across borders.
Finally, the exhibition in Tornio will also serve as a platform for broader international dialogue. At the end of the exhibition period, on 6th of November 2026, Lapland UAS will host the project’s international final seminar at the Aine Art Museum in Tornio. This event is also part of the Oulu2026 programme and will bring together project partners, artists and professionals from across Europe.
The seminar further strengthens the project’s impact by bringing international discussion, collaboration and networking opportunities to Lapland and the wider northern region, reinforcing its role as an active participant in the European cultural landscape.
Writer: Marjo Jussila, Lapland UAS