RECOGNITION AWARD
Since 1993, the Finnish Association of Art Organizations has presented an award to increase the appreciation and visibility of diverse visual arts, visual artists, and visual arts organizations. The award is presented annually to a community or individual in recognition of their significant work in promoting the visual arts.
From 1993 to 2017, the award was the Taisto Ahtola medal (1973), designed by sculptor Raimo Heimo. In 2019, the association's most significant recognition award became the medal designed by Raimo Heimo and named after professor and sculptor Eero Hiirosen (1981).
Starting in 2020, proposals for award recipients have been requested from the association's member organizations. The final selection of the award recipient is made by the association's board based on the members' proposals.
Recipients of the Recognition Award since 1993
2025 - Mustarinda Association
2024 - Kuopio Art Museum
2023 - Oulu Artists' Association -63 ry
2022 - Pekka Kainulainen, performance artist
2021 - Online publication Kulttuuritoimitus.fi
2020 - Pertti Ketonen, CEO, Grafiikanpaja Himmelblau
2019 - Kirsi Korhonen, Executive Director, Artists' Association of Finland 2015-2019
2019 - Minna Kangasmaa, Chair, Finnish Association of Art Organizations, 2016-2019
2017 - Otso Kantokorpi, visual arts journalist, art critic; for bringing current themes in the art world into the public discourse
2015 - Lahti Art Institute; for providing pioneering art education 1971-2015
2014 - Petra Havu, Executive Director of the Artists' Association of Finland 2005-2015
2013 - Taidesuunnistus ry; for creating direct contacts with artists by opening studio spaces to the public
2012 - Pori Children's Cultural Center - Satakunta Children's Cultural Network; for diversifying art education in schools and employing artists
2011 - Kuusamo Art Camp; for diverse regional teaching activities in the visual arts
2010 - Galleria Orton; highlighting the health benefits of visual arts
2009 - Näyttely°info website; maintaining and developing knowledge about visual arts exhibitions
2008 - Orivesi College visual arts program; maintaining and developing regional visual arts education
2007 - Helena Hietanen, sculptor; for defending the socio-economic interests of artists
2006 - Kuvasto ry; for monitoring and promoting the copyrights of visual artists
2005 - Finnish Road Administration; for improving the visual appearance of roadsides
2004 - Marjukka Paunila, painter; for improving the status of artists
2003 - City of Salo; for promoting public art and implementing the percentage principle
2002 - Terhi Aaltonen, Secretary General of the Finnish Painters' Union; for defending the interests of visual artists in social, unemployment, and legal security issues
2001 - Kari Jylhä, painter, chair of the Finnish Artists' Association; for promoting the professional interests of visual artists and advancing the arts
2000 - Eero Hiironen, professor, sculptor; for founding the Pirkanpohja Art Center and developing its activities
1999 - Mäntän Kuvataideviikot (Mänttä Art Weeks); for promoting the visibility of visual arts
1998 - Tampereen Saskiat ry (Tampere Saskiat Association); for work on behalf of visual artists
1997 - Savonlinnan taidelukio (Savonlinna Art High School); for the activities of the first art high school in the Nordic countries
1996 - Carl-Gustaf Lilius, sculptor, writer; for work that deviates from mainstream art and stimulates the cultural atmosphere
1995 - Eeli Aalto, painter, film director; for his life's work in promoting visual arts and as an art educator
1994 - Aune Laaksonen, Executive Director of Kerava Art Museum; for promoting visual arts in Kerava
1993 - Sinikka Hein, journalist; for promoting programs on visual arts on television
2025 Recognition Award to Mustarinda-seura ry
The 2025 Recognition Award was presented to Mustarinda-seura ry for its long-term residency activities promoting good practices.