2000 The first Haihatus summer exhibition takes place at the former Nokka village school in Hartola. The Tirkistys exhibition is held at K-market Aaltonen in Hartola.
2001 Haihatus summer exhibition; summer theatre by Nokka villagers; Raimo Auvinen’s touring exhibition “Lahden MM-kisat” in banks and shops in Joutsa and Hartola; and the “Avoimet ovet” exhibition by Raimo Auvinen and Merja Metsänen. Haihatus moves to Joutsa in December.
2002 Haihatus summer exhibition; Jukka Mäkelä’s musical instrument exhibition; Pekka Suomäki’s “Tapion vuosi” exhibition in October; and an exhibition by the Hankasalmi Art Society in November.
2003 Haihatus summer exhibition. The supporting association Haihatuksen Henki ry begins its activities. Merja Metsänen’s book of drawings, “Puuttuva napanuora”, is published.
2004 Haihatus summer exhibition; Merja Metsänen and Raimo Auvinen’s “Yhteiskuntakriittistä taidetta” exhibition at Seminaarinmäki in Jyväskylä in May; and their “Öitä” exhibition at Kellarikalleria in Suonenjoki in September. Metsänen’s comic album “Kasvis-Lihis” is published.
2005 Haihatus summer exhibition. Metsänen launches her Taidettako blog and writes columns for local newspapers. Haihatus creates the set for Teatterikone’s summer theatre production “Salaisuuden vartija”.
2006 Haihatus summer exhibition. Teatterikone sets up a summer stage at Haihatus, which creates the set for “Minusta tulee isona”. The commentary tower from Joutsa’s sports field is relocated to the Haihatus grounds and repurposed as an art space. Haihatus organises changing art exhibitions at the Jousi bar at Joutsa’s bus station. Metsänen’s book “Menevän miehen malli” is published. Haihatus receives the Cultural Achievement of the Year Award from the Arts Council of Central Finland, with the jury particularly praising its efforts to make experiencing and creating art more accessible.
2007 Haihatus summer exhibition. ITE artist Reino Koskinen donates his collection to Haihatus, where it finds a permanent home. A permanent exhibition of ITE art begins to take shape in the Haihatus field.
2008 Haihatus summer exhibition and Teatterikone’s family theatre production “Pönttöjuttu”. Responsibility for Haihatus’s activities passes from Merja Metsänen and Raimo Auvinen to Haihatuksen Henki ry. Metsänen and Auvinen remain its driving forces.
2009 The Haihatus summer exhibition launches Kulttuurin kiertotie, a year-long tenth-anniversary tour visiting fifteen locations across Finland:
June–September 2009: the Kylälle environmental art exhibition in Joutsa village. July 2009: Jyrki Markkanen and Ismo Hannula’s Suomi Hop! photography exhibition at Joutsa Library. July–August: Kulttuurin kiertotie group exhibitions at Wanha Woimala and Kirkkopuisto in Jyväskylä. August–October 2009: the Ihatsu Art environmental art exhibition in the villages of Runni and Paaslahti and at Reittulan Riihi in Iisalmi. September 2019: the Niin makaa exhibition at Art Anna in Iisalmi. October–November 2009: the Pillimehua ja pilsneriä exhibition at Lapinlahti Art Museum. Independent satellite exhibitions also take place at Galleria Käpy in Konnevesi, Morganismi in Sysmä, and the railway yard and grain-cleaning tower in Heinola.
2010 Haihatus summer exhibition: Erittäin salainen. The Kulttuurin kiertotie tenth-anniversary tour continues: the Manual exhibition at the Finnish Labour Museum Werstas in Tampere, December 2009–May 2010; Mutta mihin suuntaan at Varkaus Main Library, January–February 2010; Numero, johon soititte… at Cultural Centre Poleeni in Pieksämäki, May–June 2010; Päästä päähän at Vihreä Makasiini in Lappeenranta, May–August 2010; and the Vankilan puutarhassa environmental art exhibition at Kerava Prison.
2011 Haihatus summer exhibition: Paikalla. Haihatuksen Henki ry purchases the Fantasia and Utopia properties and begins a major renovation project. The Kihveli-Haihatus exhibition takes place in Hankasalmi, alongside the Jäniksen vuosi exhibition and the Vaella laella art workshop for schoolchildren.
2012 Haihatus summer exhibition: Ei millään pahalla. The international artist residency begins its activities, followed by the Haihatus International exhibition featuring resident artists. Fantasia is renovated with help from Finnish and international volunteers and EU funding. The multidisciplinary Koppi youth project develops cultural youth work in Joutsa, Luhanka, Hankasalmi and Konnevesi during 2012–2015.
2013 Haihatus summer exhibition: Muu maa; Haihatus International 2; and the Finnish Nordic Art Association’s Pohjoinen rakkaus exhibition. Supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Minä osaan art project involves fourth-grade pupils at Joutsa Comprehensive School during the 2012–2013 school year. The project culminates in a striking performance in Joutsa village. Haihatus maintains a network of art instructors, connecting artists with opportunities to lead courses and workshops.
2014 Haihatus summer exhibition: Inhimillistä; Johanna Juvonen and Biagio Rosa’s Senza tetto exhibition; Haihatus International 2; and Virpi Lehto’s Joutsan aika exhibition.
2015 Haihatus summer exhibition: Hartautta ja häröilyä, curated for the first time by Pauliina and Kalle Turakka Purhonen, Tiia Matikainen and Pasi Mälkiä. Haihatus receives the Art Achievement of the Year Award from the Finnish Gallery Association and the Finnish Fair Foundation. The annual award recognises contributions to the standing and appreciation of contemporary art through wide-ranging, inventive and versatile work. The jury particularly praises Haihatus’s grassroots activities and involvement of young people. Other exhibitions include Haihatus International 3 & 4, Haihatus myytävänä, Anatominen ahtaus, and the Jyväskylä Artists’ Association’s Kaikilla mausteilla. Fantasia opens to the public as an event venue.
2016 Haihatus summer exhibition: Hikiset päivät; Haihatus International 5; Tina Willgren’s Jingled; the open-call JIPPO exhibition and invitational SYYT exhibition by the Union of Finnish Art Associations; and Joulufantasia. Haihatus receives the Central Finland Art Award for its diverse and inclusive cultural activities. Keijo Puumalainen’s Rummuta itte! musical instrument exhibition opens in Fantasia and is accessible whenever events take place in the building. Haihatus’s extensive events programme runs under the name Outopäivät multidisciplinary arts festival.
2017 Haihatus summer exhibition: Sisään – ulos; Haihatus International 6; and pop-up events by resident artists.
2018 Haihatus summer exhibition: Tiloissa; the Maisemareitti exhibition; Haihatus International 7 in September–October; Raimo Auvinen’s MINÄ MINÄ MINÄ; and Ben Phillips Nozdrachev’s Tree Incarnation. The Ruudun takaa window exhibition takes over vacant commercial premises in Joutsa village. Haihatus’s in-house artist Ben Phillips Nozdrachev unveils his Ruskasukkametsä artwork in Joutsa village. Haihatus founder Merja Metsänen dies following a sudden illness.
2019 Haihatus summer exhibition: Kohtauksia. Haihatus celebrates its twentieth anniversary, with a retrospective of Merja Metsänen’s work in February. Raimo Auvinen, another central figure in Haihatus’s history, passes away. Artist and musician Risto Puurunen becomes Haihatus’s new owner. The Valon Haihatus light art event takes place in November, accompanied by live music.
2020 Haihatus summer exhibition. Activities continue under the new owner and community. Despite the impact of COVID-19, most of the programme goes ahead.
2021 Haihatus summer exhibition: Avantgardevekkula – Polttava tarve. The Joutsan kulttuurikesä cultural summer collaboration begins, and MusaSunnuntai becomes a regular fixture.
2022 Haihatus summer exhibition: ESTOMANIA III. KITA – House of Kinetic Art is established. KITA OPEN takes place.
2023 Haihatus summer exhibition: Kaiken takana / Beyond Everything. Visitor numbers reach a record high, and Joutopäivät is revamped.
2024 Haihatus summer exhibition: HAIHATUS25. Haihatus celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary and receives the Pro Sculptura Medal. A new management team is appointed: Artistic Director Mimosa Pale, Executive Producer Elli Toivoniemi and Property Manager Risto Puurunen.
2025 Haihatus summer exhibition: Lumous. The organisation is restructured and its activities clarified. Elli Toivoniemi becomes Executive Director. KITA begins the process of separating from Haihatus.
2026 Haihatus summer exhibition: Rihmasto. KITA’s separation agreement is signed, along with a partnership agreement with the Municipality of Joutsa.
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