OUTSIDER ART FESTIVAL 2026 OPEN CALL
OAF 2026 applications are open November 3–28, 2025. All application guidelines can be found on this page.
OAF is a multidisciplinary art festival that will be held in August 2026 as part of the Helsinki Festival. OAF brings together artists working in the margins with international art audiences and cultural actors. The festival has been described as wild, mind-expanding, bold, equal, inclusive, and joyful.
Explore OAF productions on the festival website, Facebook, and Instagram.
OAF explores what happens when outsiders get power
OAF gives artists the voice and power to define themselves what outsider art is – or to not define it. OAF explores the theme of being an outsider, employs people from different backgrounds, and enables new encounters. Equally, together. In 2026, OAF invites not only artists but also curators and partners who work in the field of outsider art.
OAF is open and inclusive
OAF develops a model of inclusive curation and festival production that enables outsider art creators equal participation and influence in the art field. Artist selections are made by an artistic working group that includes outsider art creators from different fields and artist mentors. In addition to the open call, the festival program is also curated by invitation. Read more about OAF’s curation model.
OAF production and organizing partners
The festival production is managed by Pertin Valinta. Organizing partners are the Autism Foundation and Kukunori association. In 2026, OAF opens an open call also for organizing partners! Application form below.
Note: There is currently significant uncertainty related to arts and culture funding in Finland. The total number of productions will be adjusted according to funding decisions, which will be confirmed in spring 2026.
APPLICATION FOR ARTISTS
Festival artists are selected through an open application process. The call for artists is open for artists working the fields of visual arts, music, film, performing arts and literature. The call is open to all outsider artists living in Finland. You can apply for one or more art field categories. Decisions will be announced to applicants in March 2026, and the festival program will be published in April 2026.
If you have questions, OAF Open Call info meeting is held remotely on Monday, November 10, and Monday, November 17. On both days, 1:00 PM–1:30 PM will be in Finnish and 1:30 PM–2:00 PM in English. If you wish to participate in a remote session, send an email to tuomas@pertinvalinta.fi. We will send you a link by email before the meeting.
Apply to participate in the 2026 Outsider Art Festival by filling out the application form through the links provided. Please familiarize yourself with the festival’s principles, rules, and privacy policy before filling out the form. Application criteria are presented in more detail in the application forms.
If you have questions about the Open Call you can contact the festival production team via email: info@outsiderartfestival.fi.
The artistic team does not reply to questions regarding the curation process.
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS AND CURATORS
Outsider Art Festival welcomes applications from artists and curators from different art fields to collaborate and exhibit art works and projects at the festival. The admission process is open 3.11.-28.11.2025.
The duration of the residency is three months in total. It is possible to complete the work period either entirely in Finland, partly remotely and partly in Finland or completely remotely. The time of the work period can be decided by the artist. The festival will be held in August 2026 and the work or works of the residency artist will be shown at the festival in 2026.
Read more from the application form below.
PARTNERSHIP OPEN CALL
Outsider Art Festival OAF is seeking new partners and collaboration proposals for 2026! Submit your proposal through the application form below.
NEW! EXHIBITION CALL FOR PERTIN VALINTA GALLERY
The exhibition call for Pertin Valinta Gallery for 2026 is open November 3–28, 2025. Exhibitions are curated and produced inclusively. The gallery program seeks multidisciplinary and inspiring exhibition ideas from outsider artists and working groups in Finland and internationally. The exhibition period is one month. Exhibitions are held in February, May, September, and November.
Apply and read more on Pertin Valinta’s website: https://pertinvalinta.fi/en/pages/galleria
