National arts councils
The national arts councils make decisions regarding the awarding of state artist grants, as well as other grants and awards for artists, artist groups and organisations. The national arts councils also provides expert opinions. The expertise of members of regional arts councils, as well as that of external experts, may also be utilised in the peer reviews of applications.
The Central Arts Council decides the number of national arts councils, their names and their roles. The Central Arts Council also appoints the members of the national arts councils for two-year terms based on the recommendations of recognised experts in the fields of the arts and culture.
Members of national arts councils
The National Council for Architecture and Design is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the field of architecture. The council also provides expert advice.
National Council for Architecture and Design 2023–24
Chairperson
Anssi Lassila, architect, Professor of Working Life, Seinäjoki
Deputy Chairperson
Tuula Pöyhönen, designer, fashion designer, Helsinki
Other members
Henri Halla-Aho, designer, lecturer, Lahti
Marjut Kauppinen, architect, Helsinki
Wiebke Pandikow, artist, Helsinki
Tero Pennanen, interior architect, musician, Espoo
Panu Savolainen, Assistant Professor, Turku
Raija Siikamäki, DArts (Art and Design), MBA, Helsinki
Pekka Toivonen, artist, Helsinki
Samuel Valkeapää, university lecturer, Utsjoki
Satu Wäre-Åkerblom, architect, Helsinki
Presenting Officer
Lea Halttunen, Special Advisor
Information
Senni Suomala, Planning Officer
National Council for Architecture and Design 2021–22
Chairperson
Inni Pärnänen, Jewellery Artist, Helsinki
Other members
Kai Hämäläinen, Industrial Designer, Lappeenranta
Maija Kovari, Sculptor, Architect, Tampere
Anna van der Lei, Designer, Lecturer, Espoo
Janne Pihlajaniemi, Architect, Oulu
Tuula Pöyhönen, Designer, Clothing and Textile Designer, Helsinki
Tanja Sanila, Designer, Inari
Panu Savolainen, Architect, Associate Professor, Turku
Sauli Suomela, Design Director, Helsinki
Satu Wäre-Åkerblom, Architect, Helsinki
The National Council for Audiovisual Art is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of cinema, media art, and light and sound art. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.
National Council for Audiovisual Art 2023–24
Chairperson
Mika Taanila, film director, Helsinki
Deputy Chairperson
Mikaela Eleni Westerlund, executive director, Espoo
Other members
Pia Andell, film director, Helsinki
Meri Ekola, lightning designer, Bryssel
Antti Pekka Ikonen, senior university lecturer, Helsinki
Tero Koistinen, MPhil, Helsinki
Albert Laine, producer, animation artist, Helsinki
Marjo Levlin, MVA, Helsinki
Melli Maikkula, scriptwriter, Helsinki
Reija Meriläinen, artist, Helsinki
Mika Ronkainen, film director, Oulu
Presenting Officer
Sari Ilmola, Special Advisor
Information
Nelli Sahlman, Planning Officer
National Council for Audiovisual Art 2021–22
Chairperson
Jenni Ukkonen, Film Distributor, Helsinki
Other members
Maija Blåfield, Artist, Film Director, Helsinki
Katja Gauriloff, Film Director, Rovaniemi
Albert Laine, Animation Artist, Helsinki
Melli Maikkula, Screenwriter, Helsinki
Janne Nabb, Visual Artist, Ylimarkku
Jaakko Niemelä, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Marjaana Rantama, Scenographer, Porvoo
Antti Selkokari, Film Critic, Helsinki
Mika Taanila, Film Director, Helsinki
Mikaela Westerlund, Executive Director, Espoo
The National Council for Multidisciplinary Art evaluates applications in the fields of multidisciplinary art and diversity, as well as applications in the fields of art journalism, illustrations and comics.
National Council for Multidisciplinary Art 2023–24
Chairperson
Anna Ruth, MA, Jyväskylä
Deputy Chairperson
Juha Valkeapää, artist, Helsinki
Other members
Janne Auvinen, managing director, Turku
Liisa Kallio, illustrator, Helsinki
Marja-Terttu Kivirinta, arts critic, cultural journalist, Helsinki
Oula Jukka Laukkanen, graphic designer, Paltamo
Paola Livorsi, MMus, Helsinki
Wilhelm Kvist, MMus, cultural journalist, Helsinki
Pekka Rahkonen, illustrator, comic artist, Nokia
Tiitu Takalo, comic artist, Tampere
Jani Toivola, actor-writer, Helsinki
Presenting Officer
Tuulikki Koskinen, Special Advisor
Information
Silja Tuhkunen, Planning Officer
The National Council for Literature is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of literature. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.
National Council for Literature 2023–24
Chairperson
Marjo Heiskanen, writer, Kuopio
Deputy Chairperson
Tapani Kärkkäinen, Artist Professor, Helsinki
Other members
Johanna Hulkko, writer, Nokia
Malin Kivelä, writer, Helsingfors
Kuisma Korhonen, professor, Helsinki
Kaj Korkea-aho, writer, Helsingfors
Roope Lipasti, writer, Lieto
Raisa Marjamäki, MLitt, Ylöjärvi
Risto Turunen, professor, Joensuu
Helena Waris, writer, Mikkeli
Presenting Officer
Katariina Kummala, Special Advisor
Information
Tuija Nevajuuri, Planning Officer
National Council for Literature 2021–22
Chairperson
Vesa Haapala, Author, Vantaa
Deputy Chairperson
Maria Turtschaninoff, Author, Karis
Other members
Marjo Heiskanen, Author, Helsinki
Koko Hubara (until 1.12.2021), Author, Journalist, Helsinki
Johanna Hulkko (from 1.12.2021), Author, Nokia
Maria Laakso, Literary Researcher, Tampere
Jyrki Lappi-Seppälä, Translator, Helsinki
Antti Salminen, Professor, Author, Ylöjärvi
Lotta Toivanen, Translator, Helsinki
Jouni Tossavainen, Author, Critic, Kuopio
Pauliina Vanhatalo, Author, Raahe
The National Council for Music is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the field of music. The council also provides expert advice.
National Council for Music 2023–24
Chairperson
Eero Linjama, education and research manager, Salo
Deputy Chairperson
Aija Puurtinen, DMus, musician, Helsinki
Other members
Virpi Eroma, songwriter, artist, Helsinki
Hannu Kella, composer, musician, Hollola
Piia Kleemola-Välimäki, DMus, Seinäjoki
Olli Kortekangas, composer, Helsinki
Jussi Makkonen, cello artist, Nurmes
Maiju Talvisto, MPhil, MMus, Helsinki
Jonna Tervomaa, musician, Helsinki
Milko Vesalainen, curator, Lappeenranta
Presenting Officer
Salla Mistola, Special Advisor
Information
Tuire Tapanainen, Planning Officer
National Council for Music 2021–22
Chairperson
Elina Mustonen, Artist Professor, Helsinki
Other members
Jussi Kannaste, Jazz Musician, Lecturer, Helsinki
Piia Kleemola-Välimäki, PhD (Music), Seinäjoki
Olli Kortekangas, Composer, Helsinki
Eero Linjama, Head of Education and Research, Salo
Riku Mattila, Producer, Musician, Helsinki
Jonna Tervomaa, Musician, Helsinki
Tellu Turkka, MA (Music), Joensuu
Milko Vesalainen, General Manager, Executive Director, Lappeenranta
The National Council for the Performing Arts is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of theatre, performance and live art, dance and circus. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.
National Council for the Performing Arts 2023–24
Chairperson
Petri Kauppinen, lecturer in dance, dance artist, Oulu
Deputy Chairperson
Rasmus Slätis, actor, Helsinki
Other members
Marie Antikainen, scenographer, Kuopio (from 1.9.2023)
Vesa-Petteri Asikainen, actor, Helsinki
Anniina Kumpuniemi, dancer-choreographer, executive director, Tampere
Soile Lahdenperä, dancer, choreographer, Helsinki
Satu Rasila, playwright, Turku
Virpi Rautsiala, MA (Theatre and Drama), Kuopio (until 31.8.2023)
Mikko Rinnevuori, MEd, Helsinki
Tomi Suovankoski, lightning designer, Helsinki
Anastasia Trizna, MA (Theatre and Drama), Helsinki
Minna Vainikainen, direcotr-choreographer, Helsinki
Ulla Hyväluoma, dance artist, Vaasa
Presenting Officer
Marja Susi, Special Advisor
Laura Norppa, Special Advisor (on leave of absence until 31 October 2023)
Information
Anni Tappola, Planning Officer
National Council for the Performing Arts 2021–22
Chairperson
Raija Ojala, Expert, Helsinki
Deputy Chairperson
Virpi Rautsiala, Actress, Kuopio
Other members
Ari Ahlholm, Lecturer, Turku
Liisa Aurasmaa, Actress, Seinäjoki
Giorgio Convertito, Dance Artist, Helsinki
Petri Kauppinen, Dance Artist, Oulu
Tero Nauha, Performance Artist, Professor, Helsinki
Ulla Päivikkö, Dance Artist, Outokumpu
Virpi Rautsiala, Actress, Kuopio
Mikko Rinnevuori, Headmaster, Helsinki
Samuli Roininen, Dancer, Choreographer, Tampere
Jussi Sorjanen, Theatre Director, Director, Helsinki
Minna Vainikainen, Director, Choreographer, Helsinki
The National Council for the Visual Arts is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of visual arts and photographic art. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.
National Council for the Visual Arts 2023–24
Chairperson
Vilma Pimenoff, artist, Helsinki
Deputy Chairperson
Panos Balomenos, MVA, Helsinki
Other members
Frank Brümmel, visual artist, Turku
Jussi Juurinen, visual artist, Vantaa
Eemil Karila, visual artist, Rovaniemi
Heli Kaskinen, visual artist, Järvenpää (from 14 August 2023)
Rauha Mäkilä, MVA, Helsinki
Eeva Peura, visual artist, Helsinki
Lars Rebers, Senior teacher, photographic artist, Uusikaarlepyy
Aurora Reinhard, visual artist, Perniö (from 14 August 2023)
Nora Tapper, sculptor, Helsinki
Kari Vehosalo, visual artist, Helsinki
Presenting Officer
Kirsi Väkiparta, Special Advisor
Information
Sini Paloheimo-Voutilainen, Planning Officer
National Council for the Visual Arts 2021–22
Chairperson
Erika Kallasmaa, Illustrator, Espoo
Vice chairperson
Elina Försti, Painter, Alajärvi
Other members
Panos Balomenos, Visual Artist, Helsinki (from 8 March 2022)
Elina Brotherus, Photographic Artist, Helsinki (1.1. – 31.12.2022)
Ville Hänninen, Non-Fiction Author, Critic, Helsinki
Heta Kuchka, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Kalle Lampela, Associate Professor in Fine Arts, Rovaniemi
Pia Lindman, Visual Artist, Fagervik (from 8 March 2022)
Tuomas Nyqvist, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Tomas Regan, Visual Artist, Tampere
Jyrki Siukonen, Visual Artist, Researcher, Tampere
Maija Tammi, PhD (Art), Helsinki
Nanna Hänninen, Photographic Artist, Kuopio (until 31.12.2021)
Hilda Kozári, Visual Artist, Helsinki (until 7.3.2022)
Paula Tella, Visual Artist, Performance Artist, Helsinki (until 7.3.2022)
National Council for Diversity in the Arts awards grants, subsidies and an annual state prize to professional artists and arts communities active in the fields of multidisciplinary art and cultural diversity.
National Council for Diversity in the Arts 2021–22
Chairperson
David Kozma, Actor, Director, Helsinki
Other members
Pablo Álvarez, Clown, Producer, Helsinki
Mikael Brygger, Author, Turku
Tove Djupsjöbacka, MPhil (Aesthetics), Helsingfors
Maija Karhunen, Dancer, Helsinki
Satu Miettinen, Professor in Service Design, Dean, Rovaniemi
Mazdak Nassir, Director, Helsinki
Anna Ruth, Visual Artist, Curator, Jyväskylä
Juha Valkeapää, Artist, Helsinki
Nita Vera, Photographic Artist, Helsinki
Presenting Officer
Tuulikki Koskinen, Special Advisor (Multidisciplinary Art)
Tiina-Kaisa Haanpää, Special Advisor (Cultural Diversity until 16.9.2022)
Lea Halttunen, Special Advisor (Cultural Diversity)
Information
Silja Tuhkunen, Planning Officer