Lux Helsinki Light Art Festival Seeks an Artistic Director

Lux Helsinki is the largest light art festival in Finland and one of the most significant in Europe. The event was founded in 2009 under the name (The Season of Light). Lux presents the most compelling international and Finnish light art to local audiences, illuminating the darkest days of winter and delighting its visitors. Each year the event attracts hundreds of thousands of people.

Lux is produced by the Helsinki Events Foundation, which is also responsible for organising and developing several of the City of Helsinki’s major public events. In addition to Lux Helsinki, the foundation is known for events such as Helsinki Festival, Helsinki Christmas Market, the Helsinki New Year, the Baltic Herring Market and Helsinki Day.

The Artistic Director is responsible for the artistic content of Lux Helsinki and its development. Together with the foundation’s board, management and staff, the Artistic Director also contributes to shaping the event’s significance for the city of Helsinki and its residents. We are now seeking a new Artistic Director for Lux Helsinki as Juha Rouhikoski concludes his term after five festival years following the 2027 edition.

The Artistic Director is responsible for planning the festival programme by exploring  broadly the international and domestic field of light art. The overall programme is developed in collaboration with the festival’s Executive Producer and curatorial team. The Artistic Director’s extensive national and international networks, along with a broad understanding of light art and its technological possibilities, help ensure a high-quality and accessible programme.

A deep understanding of the light art field and strong relationships with relevant institutions, educational organisations and funding bodies provide a solid foundation for successfully carrying out the role. The next Lux Helsinki will take place 31 December 2026 – 6 January 2027. In January 2026 the festival attracted approximately 450,000 visitors.

Every other year the festival hosts a symposium for light art professionals. In January 2026 the symposium brought together dozens of artists, curators and producers from Finland and abroad.

Further information about the position is available from Stuba Nikula, CEO of the Events Foundation, tel. +358 40 555 55 40. Please submit your application by 5 May 2026 at 4:00 PM. All applications submitted through the application form within the application period will be considered. Applications sent by email will not be processed. All applications will be handled confidentially and the names of applicants will not be made public.

Application form

Image: Julius Konttinen