The Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centres
The Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centres was established in spring 2015 in Espoo, Finland. The founding members consisted of fourteen children’s cultural centres from around Finland. The Association is rooted in the network of children’s cultural centres that began in 2003 when the Ministry of Education and Culture established the Taikalamppu (Magic lamp) network.
Today, the Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centres includes 37 children’s cultural centres from across Finland. The Association is bilingual and operates in Finnish and Swedish.
Working together for children’s arts and culture
The Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centres promotes the operations of professional cultural centres for children and young people in Finland. The association advocates competence in children’s arts and culture and its visibility nationwide. The cultural centres for children have a long tradition of networking and mutual support. Since the early days of networking, the centre practitioners have met to exchange ideas and develop cooperation in the field of children’s arts and culture nationwide.
Members exchange ideas and cooperate nationally through thematic groups (such as the exhibitions thematic group and cultural heritage thematic group) and through the Association’s working groups (such as the communications working group and membership working group). Further information on the thematic and working groups can be found on the Association’s Finnish language webpages Työ- ja teemaryhmät. Members are also invited to participate in monthly meetings to discuss ideas and current topics.
The Association creates international projects together with its member centres and other agents. Further information on international projects and their operating models can be found here: International cooperation.
Social influence
The Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centres carries out research and presents proposals, gives expert opinions and recommendations and provides expert assistance in issues relating to children’s arts and culture. The Association is involved in a variety of projects as an expert, cooperation partner, or principal lead partner. It promotes access to children’s arts and culture and the cultural rights of children and young people.
