News

Government appoints Council of Arts and Culture for 2026–2029 term

The Government has appointed the Chair, members and deputy members of the Council of Arts and Culture for a three-year term. Programme Director Samu Forsblom was appointed as Chair. The appointment of the Council of Arts and Culture is connected to the new peer review structure and the resulting discontinuation of the current arts councils as of 1 July 2026.
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Members appointed to the Council of Arts and Culture: 

  • Pauliina Feodoroff, Film Director
  • Krister Gråhn, Sculptor 
  • Ville Hänninen, Critic, Non-Fiction Author
  • Jyrki Karttunen, Choreographer
  • David Kozma, Actor, Director
  • Anssi Lassila, Architect
  • Virpi Rautsiala, Actor
  • Outi Rousu, Producer
  • Maarit Ruikka, Theatre Director
  • Pajtim Statovci, Author
  • Hannele Mikaela Taivassalo, Author
  • Riikka Talvitie, Composer

Deputy Members appointed to the Council of Arts and Culture: 

  • Katri Saukonpää, Producer
  • Anita Seppä, Professor
  • Päivi Setälä, Director
  • Matti Hakamäki, Director
  • Satu Miettinen, Dean
  • Olavi Uusivirta, Actor, Musician
  • Ilona Hongisto, Professor

The decision was taken by the Government based on the preparations of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The term begins on 1 July 2026 and ends on 30 June 2029.

The new peer review structure comprises the Council of Arts and Culture utilising a Pool of Experts and rotating Grant Assessment Panels to review applications for government grants. The Council will operate in conjunction with the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency and decide on the awarding of government grants and arts prizes based on peer reviews conducted within the Grant Assessment Panels. The Council will also make proposals for the title of Art Academic and serve as an expert body on arts and cultural policy. The principles of peer reviews, the autonomy of art and regional equality will be maintained in decision-making.

“I consider the appointment to be a very significant opportunity to promote the status of the arts and culture in Finland. In my current work within the European Capital of Culture project, I have been able to see very clearly how enormously important the arts and culture are for the vitality, identity and future of regions. At the same time, it is important to maintain the intrinsic value and freedom of the arts – they are ultimately the basis of everything,” states Samu Forsblom.

The Council of Arts and Culture will decide on peer review procedures and appoint the first Pool of Experts by the end of September. Deciding on the State Art Prizes and Regional Art Prizes for 2026 will also be among the first tasks of the Council of Arts and Culture.

Further information:

Emilie Gardberg, Director General, tel. +358 44 0883379, [email protected]