National visual arts policy programme

The national visual arts policy programme "Päin näköä" ("In Your Face" – 2009) evaluates the visual arts as a single entity that includes painting, sculpture, prints, photography, media art, comics, handicrafts, performance art and site-specific art. The programme was compiled by a committee set up by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2009.

The programme comprises a 61-point action plan for promoting the visual arts. It expresses an opinion about art education for children, copyright issues, the training of artists, the activities of art museums and the built environment. The authors of the programme emphasise that art should be part of everyday life.

Visual artists work in a free environment, and their income comes from many sources: their artistic work, teaching and other paid jobs, and grants. The programme proposes a doubling in artist grants for visual artists and craftsmen.

According to the committee, Finland is in need of a visual arts information centre that would both gather and disseminate information. In addition, regional centres for the visual arts should be established in order to develop lending and sales activities, as well as the use of applied arts.

In Your Face! National Visual Arts Policy Programme (in Finnish and Swedish)