Sara Hildén Art Museum to remain in Särkänniemi, Tampere with expansion plans

The Sara Hildén Art Museum will remain at its current location in Särkänniemi, Tampere. Plans are underway to renovate the existing museum building and simultaneously expand it. Director Anna Hjorth-Röntynen expressed satisfaction with this decision, noting that both the City of Tampere and the Sara Hildén Foundation concluded that staying in Särkänniemi best meets the museum’s needs. The goal is to showcase the foundation’s extensive art collection, which consists of over 5,000 modern and contemporary artworks, alongside rotating exhibitions.

The expansion requires a zoning change anticipated for 2027. The city council discussed the zoning program for 2025-2029 on Monday, with a preliminary assessment indicating that it will be submitted for approval in November. Planning Chief Elina Karppinen stated that the zoning for the museum’s expansion will begin this winter, during which space requirements will be further refined. The zoning program estimates a need for 7,000 square meters.

The estimated cost for the museum’s expansion is projected to be below 50 million euros. Property Director Virpi Ekholm indicated that this estimate is very preliminary and will be clarified as planning progresses. Funding will be required for both the renovation of the existing building and new construction.

Hjorth-Röntynen mentioned the necessity of renovations, as the current building, completed in 1979, has not undergone significant remodeling. Initially, a new building was planned for the Finlayson area, but the project was abandoned in January when it was determined that the site was unsuitable. The city had already invested about 245,000 euros in this project, including around 140,000 euros for an architectural competition won by architect Janne Hovi with his proposal titled “Lumen valo.”