Maija Tanninen-Mattila appointed as interim Director General of Finnish National Gallery

Emerita Maija Tanninen-Mattila, Master of Arts, Museum Director, has been appointed as Director General of the Finnish National Gallery for the period of 1 March – 31 October 2026.

Tanninen-Mattila is currently a member of the board of the Finnish National Gallery, but she will be leaving her position as board member for the remainder of the term. Previously she served as Director of the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design for a fixed term from 2024 to 2025, and has also held the positions of director of HAM Helsinki Art Museum between 2013 and 2022, director of Ateneum Art Museum between 2006 and 2013, and director of Kunsthalle Helsinki between 2001 and 2006.

The five-year term of the current Director General of the Finnish National Gallery is due to end on 31 August 2026. However, the Government has appointed Director General Kimmo Levi as Director General of the Finnish Heritage Agency as of 1 March 2026, which is why the position at the National Gallery will become vacant ahead of the originally planned date. The appointment of an interim Director General ensures the continuity of operations and safeguards that the Finnish National Gallery has a Director General until a new one can be appointed on the basis of an open application procedure.

Inquiries: Director General Juha Rintamäki, tel. +358 295 330 164, [email protected]