The North Ostrobothnia Museum will change its name to the Oulu Museum. The new name clearly communicates that a culture-historical museum is located in Oulu.
The name change is hoped to improve the museum’s recognition and accessibility. Oulu is a known name both in Finland and internationally.
“The new name is precise and communicates directly the museum’s location”, Oulu Museum and Science Centre’s Director Pekka Olsbo summarizes.
The name change is part of the conceptual change and brand work of the BestBeloved Museum project. “The matter has been considered for a long time and is well thought out”, Olsbo states.
“We renew, but hold on to the old too, of course. For example, the collections and research are not going anywhere in the future.” The museum’s collection is mapped out and expanded from the entire North Ostrobothnia according to active collection politics in the future as well.
The name change does not cause any changes to regional museum work. Oulu Museum and Science Centre will continue to be responsible for North Ostrobothnia’s regional cultural environment work. The cultural environment work includes authority tasks and regional responsibility. Oulu Museum and Science Centre cooperates in the entire region of North Ostrobothnia, and also in Kainuu regarding art museum work.
A Museum is its visitors
The Oulu Museum’s new exhibitions will be located in the new Museum and Science Centre Tiima which will open in 2026. The ambitious annual visitor goal of 200 000 has been set for the Centre. Tiima, which is being built in Myllytulli, will also include the Science Centre Tietomaa and the experience space VISIO.
“To attract tourists, we will need the boost of Oulu’s recognizability”, Olsbo thinks. The North Ostrobothnia Museum as a name is not a popular brand for large audiences, instead the museum has surely been known better as Ainola. Especially for international visitors, the name North Ostrobothnia Museum does not communicate anything about its activities or location. The old name also caused practical inconveniences.
“If you write ‘Oulu’ and ‘Museum’ into a search engine, you often do not find any information about the North Ostrobothnia Museum”, Olsbo exemplifies.
As the museum moves into a new building, the name is hoped to highlight that the museum is created for and in cooperation with its visitors.
The museum’s renewed brand work will be finished in the coming fall. The new expression will be presented together with the announcement of new exhibitions.