Arts Promotion Centre Finland to begin employer-employee negotiations
The aim of the negotiations is to achieve annual savings of 420,000 euros in operating costs as of 2015. Savings are being sought by reviewing both the network of offices and the number of staff. The reduction in staff is expected to affect no more than eight employees. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland currently has 51 full-time administrative staff members.
The first briefing regarding the beginning of employer-employee negotiations was held on 9 June.
The reason for beginning employer-employee negotiations is a cut in the operating budget for the agency. In 2014 the agency’s operating costs exceeded its budget, and in 2015 it will no longer be possible to cover excess costs by transferring budget appropriations.
The purpose of the statutory co-operation negotiations is to find solutions to adjust operating costs to the agency’s appropriations from the government budget, as well as to stabilise its finances so that the agency is able to achieve the targets that have been set for it and to fulfil its legal obligations also in the future.
“These negotiations will not have an effect on the network of national or regional arts councils,” confirms Minna Sirnö, Director of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
Any possible actions shall be implemented after the conclusion of the negotiations in 2014–2015. The details will be clarified as the negotiations progress.
Government spending cuts continue
The operating budget for the Arts Promotion Centre Finland and its predecessor the Arts Council of Finland has been cut by over 17 percent in the past five years.
“Considering the situation with the government finances, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland is also preparing for possible further cuts in its administrative budget in coming years,” says Sirnö.
Savings shall be sought primarily in office costs. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland currently has offices in 13 locations throughout Finland.
“We must organise our operations and organisation in such a way that we can adjust our finances to the appropriations we receive. First and foremost we want to safeguard our legal obligations as a state funding authority. We will do all we can to serve our customers, both artists and communities, without disruptions.”
The Arts Promotion Centre Finland is an expert agency under the Ministry of Education and Culture. Each year it distributes over 30 million euros in grants to artists and subsidies to art communities. The centre processes 14,000 applications a year. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland comprises the Central Arts Council and expert bodies that make decisions regarding the awarding of grants and awards, including ten national arts councils (seven in 2015-16), 13 regional arts councils and two boards.
The Arts Promotion Centre Finland employs 51 full-time administrative staff members. In addition, the centre has 42 regional artists on fixed-term employment contracts financed by lottery and betting funds. The Arts Promotion Centre Finland has employees at the head office in Helsinki and in 12 regional offices.
Further information: Minna Sirnö, Director, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, t. +358 295 330 719, [email protected]