Arts and Culture Barometer: Almost half of artists had international activities in 2024

The Arts and Culture Barometer 2025 examined the international activities of artists. Altogether 1286 artists representing different fields of the arts responded to the barometer survey last autumn.

According to the results of the survey, 76 percent of artists have worked internationally during their professional careers. International activities are common among artists in all fields of the arts.

Almost every second artist (49 percent) stated that they had international activities in 2024, either abroad or in Finland: 35 percent of respondents worked or had international activities outside of Finland, while 38 percent had international activities in or from Finland. International activities and work were most common among artists in the field of music (44 percent) and the performing arts (42 percent).

Approximately one third of the surveyed artists received income from abroad for their artistic work in 2024. However, income from abroad accounted for only a small percent of total earnings for most artists.

The mobility of artists is mainly directed towards Europe. Among artists who had worked outside Finland in 2024, 94 percent had worked in a European country. The most common work destination for artists was Sweden, followed by Germany and France.

Obstacles and paths to international activities

International activities are seen among artists as both an opportunity and, to some extent, a necessity for securing livelihoods and the continuity of their artistic work.

Artists are motivated to work internationally by opportunities to develop as artists, learn new things and expand their audiences, but also by financial and career-related factors.

Artists who responded to the survey were asked to describe how their international activities began. Artist residencies and international study experiences often serve as a starting point for international activities. Residencies are especially important for creating international contacts and networks, but organised networking situations and opportunities are also needed with arts institutions and other key actors, both in Finland and abroad.

The biggest obstacles to international work were poor livelihoods, lack of funding and a lack of intermediaries, such as agents and gallerists. A lack of networks, knowledge and expertise, as well as individual life situations, also limit the international activities of artists.

Overall, the results of the barometer survey emphasise that international activities are largely based on the activeness of the individual, but their implementation requires functional support structures, sufficient funding and intermediary networks.

Arts and Culture Barometer 2025: International Activities of Artists

Ruusuvirta, Minna, Lahtinen, Emmi, Leppänen, Aino & Rensujeff, Kaija (2026). Taiteen ja kulttuurin barometri 2025: Taiteilijoiden kansainvälinen toiminta. Cuporen verkkojulkaisuja 86. Kulttuuripolitiikan tutkimuskeskus Cupore.

Download the Arts and Culture Barometer 2025 from the Cupore website.

Welcome to the discussion forum on 24 April

The findings of the Arts and Culture Barometer 2025 will be presented at a discussion forum in Helsinki (Kulttuurikasarmi, Narinkka 2) on Friday 24 April 2026, 9:30am–12noon. The programme includes a presentation of the results, a commentary and a discussion with artists. The event will also be livestreamed.

Registration and link to livestream: KUVI & CUPORE TALKS: International Activities of Artists

Further information
Minna Ruusuvirta, Senior Researcher, Cupore, minna.ruusuvirta@cupore.fi, t. +358 50 326 8014
Kaija Rensujeff, Special Advisor, Finnish Arts and Culture Agency, kaija.rensujeff@kuvi.fi, t. +358 295 249 029