The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York was founded in 1990 as a 501(c)(3) organization, established by Finland's national associations for architects (SAFA), designers (Ornamo), and visual artists (the Artists' Association of Finland). Based in Brooklyn, it works across contemporary art, design, and architecture to build dialogue between Finnish and American practitioners and audiences. What began as a residency program for Finnish creatives has grown into an organization that commissions exhibitions, artist residencies, and public programs throughout New York, partnering with institutions such as MoMA and MoMA PS1, and curating textile, photography, and multimedia projects by Finnish artists.