We are thrilled to reveal the artists for the 2026 Outsider Art Festival!
Hailing from all corners of Finland, this year’s OAF artists represent the incredible world of outsider art across visual arts, music, literature, film, and performing arts. The festival’s program is shaped and selected by an artistic working group made up of outsider artists and artist mentors from these same creative fields. The final lineup was curated through an open, nationwide call for applications.
OAF 2026 artists are Matias “Matson” Välkkilä, Jenni Carlén, MC Harakka, Natalia Tong Ochoa, VHS-Klubi, EJH, Nykypost, Ansa Kurola, Satu Kankaanpää, Petter Hartzell, Aizhan Sultan, Riina Noro, Jarkko Salminen, Mikko Kallinen, Juha Pesonen, Tuulia Nuutinen, Ragnar Bengtström, Dash Che “Pekka Suomalainen, tavallinen suomalainen mies”. Read more about the artists here!
OAF Curating team is Sanni Purhonen, Aleksis Salusjärvi, Maija Karhunen, Nilas Lindell, Riikka Hänninen, Alex Siad, Satu Tani, Tytti Rantanen, Johanna Konttinen, Jaana Miettinen, Christine Langinauer, Elvira Van Eijl (Art Brut Biennale).
Venues for OAF 2026 include collaborations in Pertin Valinta x Tiketti Gallery, the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, Finnish National Opera, Finnish National Theatre, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, WeeGee Exhibition Centre, Länsimetro and Radio Helsinki.
Outsider Art Festival OAF 2026 takes place in August 20.8.-30.8.2026 in Helsinki and in Espoo. The theme of the 2026 festival is HOPE (TOIVO).
The festival is produced by Pertin Valinta Outsider Art Production house, in collaboration with the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, City of Helsinki, Espoo City, Helsinki-Uusimaa Region, Helsinki Festival, WSOY, Radio Helsinki, Autism Foundation Finland, Kynnys Association, Duv Teatern, Strawberry Home Hotel Katajanokka, Studiotec, Yellow Film, Tiketti Oy, EspooCine, Art Brut Biennale, EMMA Museum, CultureEspoo, Länsimetro, Finnish National Opera & Ballet, Helsinki Central Library Oodi, and the Finnish National Theatre, Studio Viis-kollektiivi, Vocational Schools Live and Luovi.
Read more: Artists 2026, Theme of OAF 2026: HOPE, OAF 2026 PRESS RELEASE (PDF)