Test which museum is right for you

The Metropolitan area is full of interesting museums. But which one or which ones are right for you?

Written by rOOpe lipasti translated by OWen F. WitesMan illustratiOns by ulriikka lipasti

1. The most important thing about a museum for me is…

A) To admire contemporary art and challenge myself. B) To get to breathe in history. C) The museum. D) That the tour be as short as possible.

2. The best thing in a museum is…

A) Having experiences with others. B) Being completely surprised (in a good way) by an exhibition

I didn’t know about or expect anything from. C) Getting more information about things you already know. D) The cafe. 3. I would take a first date…

A) Somewhere we could have an intellectual discussion about the art experience. B) To a place where we could walk side by side in dim, narrow corridors or romantic courtyards and alleys. C) Depends on which exhibition he/she hasn’t had time to see yet. D) Isn’t there a bar out in front of the museum somewhere?

4. Before going to a museum, I carefully read what exhibitions there are.

A) Why not, but it’s just as nice to be surprised. B) Huh? No way! Museums are about exploring! C) Of course. That’s the only way to get the most out of your visit. D) Come on, isn’t it enough that I look at the blasted things?

5. Museum Card means...

A) An opportunity to have more experiences. B) An old postcard in the Postcard Museum. C) Significant savings every year—74 euros for as many museums as you want to see! D) A driver’s license for a pensioner.

6. If I run into something in a museum that I don’t understand…

A) I don’t. B) No harm, not everything needs to be understood. I smile and move on to the next thing. C) I sit down and think of different approaches to understanding the piece. D) Wait, you mean people understand this stuff sometimes?

7. What is the best museum day?

A) Wednesday. A little shot of art is a perfect break from the week! B) Friday. It’s nice to wind down for the weekend surrounded by the past! C) Sunday. What could be more wonderful than spending a day off leisurely enjoying some culture and then discussing what we saw and experienced over coffee? D) Definitely Monday.

8. Who will I bring to the museum?

A) A friend to contemplate everything I see and experience with. B) My spouse or children. Adventure is always good to share. C) My Museum Card. D) A friend. In difficult situations, peer support always helps.

9. The best museum city in Finland is…

A) Helsinki. There’s something for everyone here! B) In the center of Helsinki: the amount of interesting museums is overwhelming! C) Helsinki of course. What a silly question. D) Don’t they all have museums? Most A-answers

An omnivorous connoisseur

You love art and new experiences. You are fascinated both by classical paintings and modern art. You are interested in reflecting on what you see and analyzing it by yourself or with a friend. All museums are for you, but you’re most likely to head to the Kiasma, HAM – Helsinki Art Museum or to the Amos Rex. But maybe this time you’ll make an exception and go to the Temppeliaukio Church to see its fantastic architecture.

Most B-answers

History adventurer

You are fascinated by centuries past, historical people and their daily lives. An old sword or a child’s toy, a shoe from hundreds of years ago, or a drinking glass are things that bring history to life for you. National Museum of Finland, Suomenlinna Museum (with its several museums), Tytyri Mine Experience (Lohja) or The Sports Museum of Finland are your choices.

Most C-answers

Cultural heavy user

You probably already know Helsinki’s museums like the back of your hand. Fortunately, there are so many of them that you can always find something new. Or maybe you might tour them in a new way, perhaps in alphabetical order! The Design Museum, Didrichsen Art Museum, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, The Finnish Museum of Photography, Helsinki City Museum, Sinebrychoff Art Museum…

Most D-answers

Antimuseophile

Museums aren’t at the top of everyone’s list, and that’s fine. However, if you head out on the down-low, you might get interested and hang around for a closer look. For example, a coffee in the historical milieu of Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is pretty great, and after having lunch at Finnish Museum of Natural History, you could afterwards take a nice walk in Kaisaniemi botanic garden in the middle of the city.