State of Cultural Policy
The State of Cultural Policy project aims to improve the overall understanding of the current state of cultural policy in Finland and to promote informed public discussion. The project has published the State of Cultural Policy 2025 report and created platforms for knowledge-based discussion through Timeout dialogues organised across Finland, as well as through the State of Cultural Policy event held for the first time in May 2026. The event also piloted the cultural policy governance barometer presented in the report.
The project operates independently of day-to-day politics and is based on independent research. It is carried out in close collaboration with Cupore’s extensive network of experts and partners.
The project is funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. The event is organised in collaboration with the Amos Anderson Foundation and the Nordic Culture Point. The event is funded by the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation.
State of Cultural Policy 2025 report
The project’s main publication analyses and brings together research-based knowledge on cultural policy produced by various actors. It draws on existing data, studies, and reports on Finnish cultural policy and its impacts. In addition, the preparation of the publication is supported by organising roundtable discussions engaging the cultural sector in early 2026 with networks operating across different parts of Finland. The publication also presents a cultural policy governance barometer. The report is available on Cupore’s website.
Roundtable discussions
During spring 2026, thematic roundtable discussions were organised across Finland in collaboration with the project’s partners. The discussions were held with seven organisations, each focusing on a theme relevant to their region. The themes included the promotion of the creative industries, the relationship between private and public cultural funding, experiences of participation in cultural policy decision-making, and the role of arts and culture in regional branding and identity.
The discussions were conducted using the Timeout method and were based on participants’ personal experiences and perspectives. The insights gathered from these discussions were utilised in the project’s reporting and at the event.
State of Cultural Policy event, 25 May 2026
The State of Cultural Policy event took place on 25 May 2026 at Lasipalatsi Bio Rex in Helsinki.
More detailed information about the programme is available on the event website: State of Cultural Policy event – Cupore.
The event serves as a new kind of forum for societal discussion on cultural policy in Finland. Its aim is to promote research-based, pluralistic dialogue that values diverse perspectives on the current state and future directions of cultural policy. The discussion was informed by the new State of Cultural Policy 2025 report, which was published at the event. A barometer for cultural policy governance presented in the report was also piloted among the event participants.
In cooperation
Topical issues in the project
Publications
- Cuporen julkaisut 2026 State of Cultural Policy 2025
Project researchers
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Maria Hirvi-Ijäs Senior Researcher, PhD, Associate Professor in Contemporary Art +358 50 463 5575 maria.hirvi-ijas@cupore.fi Profile -
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