The UPM-Kymmene Cultural Foundation began public operations in the spring of 2006. The foundation was established by the UPM-Kymmene Group, which donated almost 700 works of art into the care of the foundation.
The task of the foundation is to raise awareness of the culturally and art historically valuable works in its possession, and to preserve the cultural heritage associated with the finnish forest industry.
The UPM-Kymmene Cultural Foundation’s collection comprises paintings and sculptures of artistic merit and national import which at one time or another were owned by predecessors to UPM-Kymmene (e.g. Kymi, United Paper Mills, Rauma- Repola. Schauman, Kajaani and Kaukas).
Important works and suites of works – from the standpoint of the industrial heritage of UPM-Kymmene – by artists such as Hugo Simberg, Eero Järnefelt and A.W. Finch are also included in the collection.
