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Aalto students from all schools are invited to propose and create an artwork to be permanently installed in Otakaari 1 (Undergraduate centre), Otaniemi. The winning piece will be unveiled at the XII Unite! Dialogue in October 2025.

What is Unite!?

As an Aalto student, you’re a Unite! Student.  Unite! offers courses, research opportunities and extracurricular activities for students and faculty across Europe.

Twice a year, Unite! students, faculty and staff meet in person at the ‘Unite! Dialogue’ to exchange ideas and strengthen collaborations. At each Unite! Dialogue, a physical artefact representing Unite! and its nine partner universities is unveiled. Past (outdoor) installations have included the planting of trees, signposts, and Unite! furniture.

Call for public artwork submissions – Now open!

The call is now open for Aalto students to propose and create a permanent artwork for the Aalto Undergraduate Centre (Otakaari 1). 

The piece should symbolise Unite! and represent its  with the theme ‘Connect and Collaborate’ at its core.

To participate, entrants must first submit a proposal outlining their concept. If selected, they will have June to September to bring their vision to life by personally creating the final artwork. 

Reward & budget

• The winning artist will receive a 500€ prize (taxable).
• A 500€ budget will be provided for materials.
• The winner will also be invited to the Aalto Unite! Dialogue Dinner Party on October 8, 2025.

Submission guidelines

Your proposal should include:

1. A description of the concept of the artwork.

2. A technical description and size specifications (See PDF below for location and dimension conditions.)

3. An estimated financial framework for the piece (Up to 500€)

4. A visualisation of the artwork in a free format. Note: the piece should represent all nine Unite! universities and symbolise the theme ‘Connect and Collaborate’.

Please upload details and attach the visualisation of your proposal via the form below by midnight, 5 May, 2025. Late proposals will not be considered. The proposals will be juried anonymously. One person can make several proposals. More than one person can collaborate on a proposal, however, the financial reward will be shared between all members of the group.

Jury and selection process

Submissions will be evaluated in two rounds. In the first round, a shortlist will be selected by Unite! representatives. In the second round, final judging will be conducted by Aalto President, Ilkka Niemelä, Vice President, Petri Suomala and Manager of Public Art and Exhibitions, Outi Turpeinen.

The jury will make its final decision by 1 June 2025, selecting up to two winners. Honourable mentions may also be made.

Summary

• What: Propose and create a Unite! artwork to be installed permanently in Aalto’s Undergraduate Centre, Otakaari 1.
• Who: Open to all Aalto students from any school.
• Theme: The piece should symbolise Unite! and represent its  with the theme ‘Connect and Collaborate’ at its core.
• Prize: 
  Upon delivery of the completed piece of art, the winner will receive:
  500€ (taxable) reward money for the artist.
  Up to 500€ for materials (receipts need to be provided.)
  Invitation to the Aalto Unite! Dialogue Dinner Party, 8 October 2025
• Size and exact location: Terms and conditions of the dimensions and location (Hallway of Y wing)of the piece are found at the PDF link below.
• Proposal deadline: Applications for proposals close 5 May 2025.
• Final deadline for the physical piece of art: 15 September 2025.
• Jury and selection process: The top submissions will be judged by Aalto’s President Ilkka Niemelä, Vice President Petri Suomala, and Manager of Public Art and Exhibitions, Outi Turpeinen.
• Winner announcement: Up to two winners will be selected by the jury and announced by 1 June 2025. The winners will have approximately three months to create the art.

Contacts + submission form + location and dimensions 

Contact person: 
Melissa Georgiou melissa.georgiou@aalto.fi

Submission form: 


PDF Summary of the dimensions and location of the final piece can be found below: