Programme

(languages: Finnish, English and Swedish)

The State of Cultural Policy event is opened by Johanna Tuukkanen, Director of Cupore.

(Spoken language: Finnish; slides also in Swedish and English)

The central element of the morning programme is the launch of the State of Cultural Policy 2025 report. The report draws from recent research on Finnish cultural policy and opens perspectives on the future of cultural policy and its monitoring.

The report will be presented by Vappu Renko, Senior Researcher at Cupore.

(languages: Finnish, Swedish and English)

• Tuula HaatainenChair of the Education and Culture Committee
• Juha Rintamäki, Director General, Department for Cultural and Art Policy, Ministry of Education and Culture
• Emilie Gardberg, Director General, Finnish Arts and Culture Agency
• Kristin Danielsen, CEO, Nordic Culture Fund

(languages: Finnish, Swedish and English)

A summary of participants’ views on the current state of cultural policy. Perspectives are collected from registered participants before the event via a survey.

(language: Finnish)

The morning programme culminates in a panel discussion on the current state, challenges and opportunities of cultural policy. The discussion is moderated by Johanna Tuukkanen, Director of Cupore.

Panelists:

• Vappu Aura, Chair of Luovat ry (Creative Workers and Entrepreneurs)
• Teemu Mäki, Chair of the Finnish Artists’ Association
• Jussi Sorjanen, Artistic Director, & Espoo Theatre

(languages: Finnish, Swedish and English)

The morning programme and live stream conclude with a concise summary and an introduction to the afternoon sessions.

This dialogue explores cultural rights and responsibilities in future cultural policy decision-making. (language: Swedish)

Moderator: Mary Gestrin, Director of Development and Communications, Amos Anderson Foundation

Panelists:

• Kristin Danielsen, Director, Nordic Culture Fund
• Brynjar Andersen Saus, Project Manager, Tromsø European Youth Capital; Member of the Sámi Parliament

This dialogue delves into perspectives on the economy of culture, its value, and the links between them. (language: Finnish)

Moderator: Sakarias Sokka, Senior Researcher and Deputy Director, Cupore

Panelists:

• Heikki Pursiainen, Research Director, City of Helsinki
• Tero Nauha Professor, Live Art and Performance Studies, Theatre Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki

The dialogue addresses participation, representation and pluralism in cultural policy and related public debate. (language: Finnish)

Moderator: Liisa Suvikumpu, Managing Director of the Association of Finnish Foundations and Chair of The Committee for Public Information

Panelists:

• Maryan Abdulkarim, author and columnist
• Jenni Karimäki, University Researcher and Docent of Political History, University of Eastern Finland

The dialogue’s participants focuse on themes of cultural participation and inclusion. (language: Swedish)

Moderaattori: Mary Gestrin, Director of Development and Communications, Amos Anderson Foundation

Panelists:

• Rani Kasapi, Head of Content and Learning, National Museums of World Culture
• Riie Heikkilä, Senior Researcher and Docent of Sociology, Tampere University

This dialogue the participants examine the connections between culture and sustainability.(language: Finnish)

Moderator: Sakarias Sokka, Sakarias Sokka, Senior Researcher and Deputy Director, Cupore

Panelists:

• Antti Majava, artist and researcher, BIOS Research Unit
• Minttu Jaakkola, Executive Director, Puistokatu 4

This dialogue maps the impacts of the digital transformation on cultural policy. How is cultural policy shaped and implemented in the age of artificial intelligence? (language to be confirmed)

Moderaattori: Liisa Suvikumpu, Managing Director of the Association of Finnish Foundations, and Chair of The Committee for Public Information

Panelists:

• Niclas Storås, Journalist, HS Vision
• Second discussant to be confirmed

The dialogue moderators synthesise the afternoon discussions, forming a coherent overview of the future pathways of Finnish cultural policy emerging from the conversations. (languages: Finnish, Swedish and English)

Commentary speeches will address future directions for cultural policy. (languages to be confirmed)

Speakers:

• Mathias Waenerberg, Board Member, Student Union of the University of the Arts Helsinki
• Rosa Meriläinen, Secretary General, Kulta ry
• Mikko Dufva, Senior Lead, Foresight and Training, Sitra

(languages: partly Finnish, partly English/Swedish)

Johanna Tuukkanen, Director of Cupore, closes the State of Cultural Policy event by summarising the day’s key discussions and insights.

Following the formal programme, participants are invited to a guided visit to the Generation2026 exhibition at Amos Rex.

The evening concludes with informal networking at the bar of the Lasipalatsi restaurant.