Minna Karvonen appointed as Director General of the Finnish National Gallery
The Finnish Government has appointed Minna Karvonen as the new Director General of the Finnish National Gallery. Her term will begin on 1 November 2026 and continue until 31 October 2031, as confirmed by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Karvonen currently serves as the Director of the Division for Art and Cultural Heritage at the Ministry of Education and Culture, a position she has held since 2018. She has been with the ministry since 2007, previously working as a Senior Ministerial Adviser for Cultural Affairs. Before her tenure at the ministry, she held several expert and management roles at the Finnish Heritage Agency, where she contributed to the development of the National Digital Library (Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture).
The Finnish National Gallery is an independent foundation under public law, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Its responsibilities include maintaining and expanding the state-owned art collection, organising exhibitions, and providing expertise to the broader museum sector. The institution oversees three major museums: the Ateneum Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, and the Sinebrychoff Art Museum. The National Gallery employs approximately 280 people (Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture).
As Director General, Karvonen will be responsible for leading and developing the National Gallery’s operations, ensuring it fulfils its statutory tasks effectively. A total of 12 candidates applied for the position, according to the ministry’s press release. Yle also reports that her role will include advancing the institution’s strategic objectives and overseeing its cultural and artistic activities.
