In Finland, children’s arts and culture are financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland and various foundations.
Ministry of Education and Culture
The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture grants subsidies for children’s cultural centres, as well as for national arts and culture events for children. The purpose of funding children’s cultural centres is to promote children’s equal access to arts and culture nationwide and to support the operation and networking of children’s cultural centres.
Arts Promotion Centre Finland
The Arts Promotion Centre Finland awards various grants and subsidies, available to those working in children’s arts and culture.
Regional arts committees action the awarding of the targeted subsidies and grants for children’s arts and culture. The purpose is to provide children with ambitious arts and culture opportunities, overseen by professionals. Projects which give children and young people roles as active participants are prioritised.
Finnish Cultural Foundation
The Finnish Cultural Foundation awards grants for all fields of arts and culture. The work may be carried out either in Finland or abroad. In the field of art, the foundation grants awards for work, various projects anThe Finnish Cultural Foundation awards grants for all areas of arts and culture. The initiatives may be carried out either in Finland or abroad. In the field of arts, the Foundation grants awards for work, various projects and, to a limited extent, studies. The Foundation has reserved separate funds for grants in children’s arts and culture. The Finnish Cultural Foundation is the principal funder of Finland’s largest cultural campaign for adolescents, Art Testers.
Private foundations and funds
Some private foundations and funds also support children’s cultural activities. The Aurora database can be used to search for funding opportunities in sciences, arts and culture. The database includes Finnish and foreign funding organisations and programmes, which are available for Finns or residents of Finland. The database can be used free of charge.
More Accessible Hobby Approach
Good accessibility promotes opportunities for everyone to engage, participate and experience.
Diversity and accessibility are not a matter of choice.
International human rights conventions and legislation require organizers of leisure activities to remove barriers to participation and promote equality.
The More Accessible Hobby- approach aims to promote accessibility as widely and diversely as possible. It is based on human rights conventions and legislation, cross-sectoral co-development and proven good practices.
The More Accessible Hobby Approach includes:
- 18 Recommendations for More Accessible Hobbies to guide activities towards accessibility.
You can find the recommendations here - Traffic Light Tool for Accessible Hobbies to assess the current state of accessibility.
Download the tool here - More Accessible Hobby- Online Training and Information Cards (only in Finnish), which provide practical guidance and tips on how to improve accessibility; and
- More Accessible Hobby Label, which can be used as a communication tool.
The More Accessible Hobby Label
Organisations that commit to the recommendations for more accessible hobbies may also use the More Accessible Hobby label to promote their activities. This label facilitates communication between activity organisers, participants, and their supporters, helping more people discover and engage in hobbies.
Learn more about the More Accessible Hobby Approach and download the Traffic Light Tool for Accessible Hobbies here.
Accessibility in Children’s Arts and Culture
Every child and young person has the right to experience and create art. Access to engaging in leisure activities should be as easy as possible regardless of such considerations as physical limitations, support needs, first language or a family’s financial situation. Recognising diversity in all people – whether child or adult – is the first step towards realising the cultural rights of children and young people and achieving greater equality in children’s arts and culture.
Recognising and accounting for diversity and different approaches in the planning and implementation of services can make them more accessible. Complete accessibility requires minimising all possible barriers to participation, including access to information, financial means, physical environment, the use of senses, social factors, and understanding. The aim is to enable children and young people to choose art hobbies and activities based on their interests, rather than limiting their choice only to those services that provide for the diversity of participants and the removal of barriers to access.
The better the provision of cultural rights to children and young people, the greater the sustainability and the impact of children’s cultural activities. As professional practitioners of children’s arts and culture (and subsequently other cultural professionals) attract new talent, the quality of children’s cultural provision improves. The aim is to create a level playing field for children’s arts and culture, where everyone has the opportunity to take up leisure activities, participate, and receive training and work, regardless of their individual characteristics.
Accessibility Guide for children’s cultural centres and basic art education institutions
The guide aims to provide tools and tips on accessibility, and was produced by The City of Tampere as part of the SATA2 Project (Accessible Art Hobby 2). The guide and Accessibility sign aim to improve access to art and culture activities for children and young people with special needs nationwide.
Photo: Playing in the adventure space of the Children’s Cultural Centre Rulla. Photographer: Taru Huokkola
