Central Arts Council appoints new members to arts councils for the next two-year term

The Central Arts Council selected the members of the arts councils on the basis of proposals submitted by approximately 750 art experts and organisations, including art associations, universities and regional councils.

“Based on our experience over the past two years, the Central Arts Council’s goal of conducting peer reviews among multiple arts councils for each artform has in practice worked well. In addition, we have been able to call on the expertise of persons who were nominated but not appointed to the arts councils for reviewing applications,” says Risto Ruohonen, Chair of the Central Arts Council.

“Our message now to the newly appointed arts councils is to continue supporting peer reviews within specific artforms by utilising the broad expertise that can be found among the other arts councils and nominees,” Ruohonen continues.

The Central Arts Council and arts councils are expert bodies of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike). The arts councils decide on the awarding of grants and prizes to artists, artist groups and communities on the basis of peer reviews, each with its own field and region.

Each year the arts councils distribute 21.7 million euros in grants and awards, representing two-thirds of the 35 million euros in overall support for the arts and culture distributed by Taike. In addition, the arts councils evaluate applications for subsidies within Taike’s jurisdiction.

Further information: Risto Ruohonen, Chair of the Central Arts Council. Contact Eija Ristimäki, Head of Communications, t. +358 295 330 722, [email protected]

National arts councils 2019–20

•    National Council for Architecture and Design
•    National Council for Audiovisual Art
•    National Council for Diversity in the Arts
•    National Council for Literature
•    National Council for Music
•    National Council for the Performing Arts
•    National Council for the Visual Arts

Regional arts councils 2019–20

•    Arts Council of Central Finland
•    Arts Council of Häme
•    Arts Council of Lapland
•    Arts Council of North Karelia
•    Arts Council of North Savo
•    Arts Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu
•    Arts Council of Ostrobothnia
•    Arts Council of Pirkanmaa
•    Arts Council of Satakunta
•    Arts Council of South Savo
•    Arts Council of Southeast Finland
•    Arts Council of Uusimaa
•    Arts Council of Varsinais-Suomi

National arts councils

National Council for Architecture and Design 2019–20

Chairperson:
Kirsti Kovanen, Architect, Mikkeli
Other members:
Niina Kilpelä, Architect, Helsinki
Kimmo Lintula, Architect, Helsinki
Juuso Koponen, Information Designer, Helsinki
Janne Pihlajaniemi, Architect, Oulu
Päivi Meuronen, Interior Architect, Helsinki
Inni Pärnänen, Jewellery Artist, Helsinki
Mariana Salgado, Service Designer, Helsinki
Markku Salo, Designer, Nuutajärvi
Tanja Sanila, Designer, Inari

National Council for Audiovisual Art 2019–20

Chairperson:
Dag Andersson, Managing Director, Kemiö
Other members:
Simo Alitalo, Sound Artist, Turku
Maija Blåfield, Media Artist, Helsinki
Katja Gauriloff, Film Director, Rovaniemi
Tellervo Kalleinen, Artist, Helsinki
Janne Nabb, Visual Artist, Ylimarkku
Marjaana Rantama, Scenographer, Porvoo
Mika Ronkainen, Film Director, Oulu
Tülay Schakir, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Antti Selkokari, Film Critic, Helsinki
Jenni Ukkonen, Theatrical Sales Manager, Helsinki

National Council for Diversity in the Arts 2019–20

Chairperson:
Minna Henriksson, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Other members:
Pauliina Feodoroff, Theatre Director, Helsinki
Petteri Ikonen, Director of Education, Vantaa
Maija Karhunen, Dancer, Helsinki
David Kozma, BA, Helsinki
Miritza Lundberg, MA (Music), Helsinki
Mazdak Nassir, Film Director, Helsinki
Satu Miettinen, Professor, Rovaniemi
Timo Tuhkanen, Director, Helsinki
Nita Vera, Photographer, Helsinki

National Council for Literature 2019–20

Chairperson:
Anneli Kanto, Author, Tampere
Other members:
Kristiina Drews, Translator, Helsinki
Maria Laakso, Postdoctoral Researcher, Tampere
Peter Mickwitz, Author, Helsinki
Jusa Peltoniemi, Dramaturge, Fiskars
Alexandra Salmela, Author, Tampere
Eino Santanen, Author, Helsinki
Jouni Tossavainen, Author, Kuopio
Maria Turtschaninoff, Author, Karjaa
Pauliina Vanhatalo, Author, Raahe

National Council for Music 2019–20

Chairperson:
Kimmo Hakola, Composer, Helsinki
Other members:
Tove Djupsjöbacka, MA, Helsinki
Jussi Kannaste, Jazz Musician, Helsinki
Maija Kylkilahti, Deputy General Manager, Lahti
Mats Liljeroos, Musicologist, Loviisa
Riku Mattila, Producer, Helsinki
Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman, Musician, Utsjoki
Markku Ollila, Rector, Pori
Eeva Rysä, Musician, Helsinki

National Council for the Performing Arts 2019–20

Chairperson:
Ville Sandqvist, Director, Helsinki
Other members:
Mikael Aaltonen, Producer, Helsinki
Ari Ahlholm, Teacher, Turku
Giorgio Convertito, Dance Artist, Helsinki
Heta Haanperä, Theatre Director, Oulu
Saara Juvonen, Cultural Producer, Helsinki
Ulla Mäkinen, Lecturer in Dance, Varislahti
Lotta Nevalainen, International Affairs Manager, Helsinki
Raija Ojala, Executive Director (retired), Helsinki
Sirpa Riuttala, Theatre Director, Helsinki/Lappeenranta
Samuli Roininen, Dancer-Choreographer, Tampere
Jussi Sorjanen, Theatre Director, Helsinki

National Council for the Visual Arts 2019–20

Chairperson:
Erika Kallasmaa, Illustrator, Espoo
Other members:
Ahmed Al-Nawas, Art Curator, Helsinki
Elina Försti, Painter, Alajärvi
Heli Hiltunen, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Maria Hirvi-Ijäs, Researcher, Helsinki
Nanna Hänninen, Photographer, Kuopio
Ville Hänninen, Critic, Helsinki
Teija Isorättyä, Sculptor, Espoo
Harri Larjosto, Media Artist, Vantaa
Vesa-Pekka Rannikko, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Kari Södö, Visual Artist, Oulu
Paula Tella, Visual Artist, Helsinki

Regional arts councils

Arts Council of Central Finland 2019–20

Chairperson:
Katri Alatalo, Author, Saakoski
Other members:
Jonas Hakaniemi, Designer, Jyväskylä
Pekka Kostiainen, Composer, Jyväskylä
Jarmo Laaksonen, Teacher, Jyväskylä
Mikko Hietaharju, Photographer, Jyväskylä
Virpi Lehto, Visual Artist, Joutsa
Hanna Malmivaara-Liinoja, Actress, Jyväskylä
Tanja Rasi, Executive Director (retired), Jyväskylä

Arts Council of Häme 2019–20

Chairperson:
Risto Autio, Actor, Hämeenlinna
Other members:
Tapani Bagge, Author, Hämeenlinna
Anni Henriksson, Visual Artist, Lahti
Satu Loukkola, Sculptor, Järvelä
Johanna Rajala, Teacher, Lahti
Tiina Salmi, Visual Artist, Lahti
Esa Vienamo, Ethnomusicologist, Parola
Timo Väänänen, Musician, Lahti

Arts Council of Lapland 2019–20

Chairperson:
Katriina Pietilä-Juntura, Museum Director, Tornio
Other members:
Jouni Laiti, Lecturer, Inari
Kalle Lampela, Visual Artist, Rovaniemi
Markku Moilanen, Oboist, Rovaniemi
Karoliina Paatos, Artist, Rovaniemi
Jussi Siirilä, Author, Kemi
Johanna Virsunen, Actress, Kemi
Merja Yli-Tepsa, Musician, Sodankylä

Arts Council of North Karelia 2019–20

Chairperson:
Kai Paavilainen, Actor, Joensuu
Other members:
Reetta Gröhn-Soininen, Sculptor, Joensuu
Reima Hirvonen, Visual Artist, Eno
Mari Kortelainen, Dancer, Outokumpu
Pentti Ojajärvi, Music Teacher, Kesälahti
Outi Särkikoski, Visual Artist, Joensuu
Kanerva Vaakanainen, Author, Ylämylly

Arts Council of North Savo 2019–20

Chairperson:
Matti Kaarlejärvi, Narrator, Kuopio
Other members:
Taina Kontio, Media Artist, Kuopio
Leena Mäki-Patola, Ceramic Artist, Varkaus
Juha-Pekka Pohjalainen, MA, Jännevirta
Virpi Rautsiala-Savolainen, Actress, Kuopio
Eeri Pihlajakari, Dance Teacher, Kuopio
Tuomas Untamala, Cello Teacher, Kuopio

Arts Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu 2019–20

Chairperson:
Petri Kauppinen, Dance Artist and Choreographer, Oulu
Other members:
Marko Karvonen, Lecturer, Kajaani
Essi Kummu, Author, Oulu
Urho Kähkönen, Visual Artist, Kuhmo
Tapio Lappalainen, Composer, Haapajärvi
Jouni Rissanen, Director, Oulu
Alla Räisänen, Executive Director, Oulu
Elina Vieru, Assistant, Oulu
Maria Viitasaari, Music Teacher, Oulu

Arts Council of Ostrobothnia 2019-20

Chairperson:
Hannah Kaihovirta, Visual Artist, Vaasa
Other members:
Liisu Aurasmaa, Actress, Seinäjoki
Jari Eklund, Photographer, Tunkkari
Teemu Hirvilammi, Architect, Seinäjoki
Anni Järvelä, Musician, Kaustinen
Niina Kiprianoff, Musician, Kauhajoki
Jimmy Pulli, Visual Artist, Vaasa
Dennis Rundt, Author, Kristiinankaupunki

Arts Council of Pirkanmaa 2019–20

Chairperson:
Taina Laaksonen, Designer, Tampere
Other members:
Anna Angervo, Violinist, Vesilahti
Niina Hakalahti, Author, Tampere
Arto Koskinen, Film Director, Tampere
Janne Laine, Visual Artist, Tampere
Aino Louhi, Illustrator, Tampere
Anna-Elina Lyytikäinen, Actress, Tampere
Tuukka Peltonen, Visual Artist, Virrat
Miika Riekkinen, Lecturer in Dance, Tampere

Arts Council of Satakunta 2019–20

Chairperson:
Markku Ollila, Rector, Pori
Other members:
Maija Anttila, Architect, Kankaanpää
Marjo Heino, Visual Artist, Luvia
Tapio Koivukari, Author, Rauma
Hannele Lanu-Ståhle, Actress, Pori
Toni Lehtola, Visual Artist, Pori
Jenny Valli, Museum Director, Rauma

Arts Council of South Savo 2019–20

Chairperson:
Marja Ikonen, Music Teacher, Rantasalmi
Other members:
Pirkko Heikkinen, Art Critic, Mikkeli
Jarkko Liutu, Visual Artist, Savonlinna
Eino Logrén, Cantor-Organist, Punkaharju
Jari Pylväinen, Actor, Savonlinna
Paula Ruuttunen, Ceramic Artist, Mikkeli
Maisa Tikkanen, Visual and Textile Artist, Kulennoinen

Arts Council of Southeast Finland 2019–20

Chairperson:
Mikko Holm, Jewellery Artist, Lappeenranta
Other members:
Jorma Fagerström, Director of Education, Kouvola
Mika Kallio, Musician, Kouvola
Ulla-Maija Järnstedt-Kauppinen, Actress, Imatra
Mika Kempas, Rector, Kotka
Eeva-Liisa Puhakka, Visual Artist, Kouvola
Iiris Rannio, Theatre Director, Lappeenranta
Minna Rissanen, Visual Artist, Kouvola

Arts Council of Uusimaa 2019–20

Chairperson:
Hannele Niiranen, Executive Director, Helsinki
Other members:
Vesa-Petteri Asikainen, MA (Theatre), Helsinki
Ilari Kähönen, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Riitta Paakki, Jazz Musician, Helsinki
Taneli Rautiainen, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Heli Rekula, Visual Artist and Photographer, Loviisa
Helena Sinervo, Author, Helsinki
Jolin Slotte, Author, Siuntio
Ville Suhonen, Film Director, Otalampi
Anne-Marie van der Lei, University Lecturer, Helsinki
Anne Vasko, Illustrator, Hyvinkää
Matthew Whittall, Composer, Helsinki

Arts Council of Varsinais-Suomi 2019–20

Chairperson:
Marja Susi, Puppet Theatre Artist, Turku
Other members:
Tove Appelgren, Author, Turku
Leena Kela, Performance Artist, Mynämäki
Mika Lietzén, Comics Artist, Turku
Eero Merimaa, Visual Artist, Turku
Markus Rantanen, Musician, Laitila
Iida Rauma, Author, Turku
Visa Suonpää, Visual Artist, Turku
Satu Tuittila, Dance Artist, Raisio