For Visitors

On this page: 

• Opening hours 
• Getting there 
• Accessibility
• Exhibition etiquette, or how to visit an exhibition 
• Group visits 
• Renting premises 
• Café services 
• Porter services 

​​​​​​Accessibility

Participation in making and experiencing art must be as easy as possible, regardless of disabilities, support needs, mother tongue or the family's financial situation, for example. 

Annantalo uses the Saavutettavampi harrastus (More Accessible Hobby) sign. This means that we are committed to promoting equality and accessibility across the board in our operations. We continuously evaluate and develop our operations so that everyone gets to enjoy the joys and benefits of hobbies. 

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Accessible indoor movement  

Annantalo was built in 1886 and is a protected building. Unfortunately, the building is not accessible. 

• Assistant for an art class: If a child needs help with an art class, they may be accompanied by an assistant or another adult. Arrange this in advance with Producer Anni Hiekkala, anni.hiekkala(at)hel.fi.. 

• Assistant for events: If you need an assistant for an event, please contact Cultural Producer Katariina Metsälampi in advance, katariina.metsalampi (at)hel.fi, 050 529 3672. 

• Lift: The house has a lift that gives access to the public spaces on the 1st and 2nd floors. The 3rd floor is a staff space, and you need a lift key to get there. 

• Annansali: Annasali, the performance venue,can be accessed directly using a wheelchair through the air box at the entrance of the backyard (the Kansakoulukuja side). Call the porter when you are arriving at the assembly hall in a wheelchair. When booking tickets, please let us know if you need a wheelchair space. 

• Induction loop: The induction loop can be found in the assembly hall. 

• Dogs: We allow dogs performing a duty. For example, guide dogs, school dogs and library dogs are welcome. 

• Tactile map: Request a tactile map of the premises from the porter. 

• Thresholds: Multi-room doors have thresholds that are about 6 cm high. 

• Interior doors: Most interior doors are bi-parting, high solid wood doors, of which only one door leaf opens like a regular door. The second door leaf opens by releasing the upper and lower latches. The porter will help if necessary. 

• Changing rooms: There is no wheelchair access to the changing rooms. 

• Toilets: The accessible toilet is on the first floor, next to the info. There is a low threshold at the door. The gender-neutral toilet is located on the first floor. 

Interior accessibility inquiries: 

You can reach the porter during Annantalo’s opening hours by calling 09 310 37185 or 040 160 3741. 

Sensory equipment for performances 

Sensory equipment is aimed at children with some kind of special characteristic such as autism, attention deficit disorder or sensory processing problems. However, the child does not need to have a specific disorder if you want to borrow a sensory bag. You can loan a sensory bag from the porter. The bag contains objects that aid concentration and following the performance. The bags include hearing protectors, Tangle fidget toys, a weighted dog and communication pictures. There are a total of two (2) bags. The bag can be borrowed free of charge for the duration of the performance. 

Accessibility of art courses 

The cognitive, social or physical characteristics, financial situation, or language skills of the participants in art courses are no obstacle to participation. If a child, young person or adult participating with a child needs special support, it is important to contact the Annantalo staff in advance. If the financial situation is challenging, it is possible to apply for an exemption or discount from the course fee. The language of instruction in the courses is Finnish, but there is room for all languages and language skills. Language skills and the need for support should be communicated in advance.  

Learn more about applying for a free place. The link will take you to the Course and Enrolment Policies page. 

Apply as a non-paying student. The link will take you to the application form. 

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Exhibition etiquette, or how to visit an exhibition 

If you are visiting an exhibition for the first time or are hesitant about how to visit exhibitions, read these instructions, and you will already know a lot about how to be an exhibition guest.  

Annantalo has four exhibition spaces: a gallery consisting of two rooms on the ground floor; and two galleries on the second floor at both ends of the corridor.  

Visit the exhibition as if you were visiting a person

Remember to put things back in place and allow other visitors to experience the works in peace. Leave the space in as good or even better condition than it was in. The goal of Annantalo is to teach everyone, even the smallest visitors, the practices of visiting art exhibitions. As accompanying adults, we participate in this work by example. 

 
In general, works of art are not to be touched

Works displayed in galleries, such as paintings, sculptures, and videos, are intended to be viewed but not touched unless there is specific authorisation to do so. If the work can be touched, it is marked separately with a green hand sticker. There may also be a guide next to it that will instruct you in experiencing and using the work. 

Each work is made with care and skill. Respect the works and make sure they remain undamaged. If you are allowed to touch the work, do so with clean hands and gently, a little like you are getting to know it. Permission to touch does not mean that the work may be handled in any way you like. If it is handled too roughly, the work may break, and it will no longer bring joy to anyone. We want all visitors to experience the works of the exhibitions as they have been intended by artists, writers and other actors.  

Enjoy food and drinks outside the galleries

Food and drinks should be enjoyed outside the gallery premises. There is a table group on the second floor reserved for eating snacks, and the Annantalo café serves our visitors. 

You can use a phone to photograph works

Unless a work or task directly requires the use of a phone, phones should be kept in the pocket or bag for the duration of the visit. Visitors should be able to focus on experiencing the exhibition. You can take photos of the works as a souvenir if you wish, but it is important to make sure that the photos do not include other visitors. 

Feel free to ask what is allowed at the exhibition  

If something is unclear, or you are unsure what to do or not to do, feel free to ask! Annantalo's staff and porters are happy to help.   

Welcome to the exhibition! 

Group visits

Groups are welcome at Annantalo. In addition to performances and events, Annantalo offers groups tailored house presentations, guided tours and​​​​​​​ educational visits for children and adults. Visits are free or paid, depending on the purpose, duration, content of the group visit and the background organisation of the visitors. 

Contacts

Guided exhibition tours: Cultural Producer Marianne Turtio, marianne.turtio (at)hel.fi, +358 (0)40 1883416 

Guided house tours: Pirjetta Mulari, Director of Annantalo, Head of Children's Culture, pirjetta.mulari (at)hel.fi, + 358 (0)50 564 3553 

​​​​​​​Educational and international visits: Senior Planning Officer for Arts Education Susanna Metsälä, susanna.metsala (at)hel.fi, +358 (0)40 631 8145 

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Renting premises​​​​​​

Many of the premises at Annantalo can be rented. The most commonly rented premises are the auditorium and the A-stage in the Annantalo backyard. Art classrooms and the Annansali are mainly in Annantalo's use, but you can also inquire about these spaces. The gallery facilities are for Annantalo's use only. 

Annantalo is intoxicant-free during rental events as well. Please note that there are many children and young people and a lot of noise in Annantalo! 

Read more about renting the Annantalo premises on the Facilities and renting page.

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