New peer review system for the arts: 324 members appointed to Pool of Experts

Altogether 324 members have been appointed to the Pool of Experts, representing a wide range of regions, fields of the arts, age groups and diverse backgrounds.

Grant Assessment Panels will be assembled from the members of the Pool of Experts to review grant applications according to the principles of peer reviews. In addition, the Grant Assessment Panels will provide opinions on matters such as art prizes, supplementary artist pensions, the honorary title of Art Academic and grant applications from communities.

A total of 1227 nominations were received for the Pool of Experts. The Finnish Arts and Culture Agency requested nominations from approximately 300 key stakeholders in the fields of the arts and culture last spring. In addition, professionals in the sector could nominate themselves, and about one-third of the candidates came through this open channel. The final composition showed a slight emphasis on candidates nominated in response to the agency’s requests for nominations.

“The restructuring significantly changes the peer review process for the arts within the state administration. It is excellent to note the diverse range of nominations we received for the Pool of Experts. The composition is more pluralistic and diverse than that of the previous arts councils, ensuring an even broader base of expertise for decision-making," states Henri Terho, Director of the Arts and Culture Funding Department.

The appointment of the Pool of Experts took into account principles such as diversity, equality and regional representation. Women make up 62 percent of the members, men 31 percent and individuals of other genders or those who did not disclose their gender account for 7 percent, corresponding to the gender distribution of the candidates. Finnish is the native language of 87 percent, Swedish of 6 percent and other languages ​​of 7 percent of the members. The average age of members is 48, with 29 members under the age of 35 and 21 members over the age of 65.

The composition of the Pool of Experts takes into account the number of grant applications received from different fields of the arts and geographical regions. Members were appointed from the following regions:

• Northern Region 35 (Lapland, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu)
• Eastern Region 32 (North Karelia, North Savo, South Savo and South Karelia)
• Central Region 42 (Central Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, Central Finland and Pirkanmaa)
• Western Region 39 (Ostrobothnia, Satakunta, Varsinais-Suomi and Åland)
• Southern Region 26 (Kymenlaakso, Päijät-Häme, Kanta-Häme and Uusimaa outside Capital Region)
• Capital Region 150

This autumn, the first Grant Assessment Panels for art prizes will be appointed from the Pool of Experts. These will be followed by Grant Assessment Panels for supplementary artist pensions and regional grants for the arts.

The new system maintains the principle of transparency. The composition of the Grant Assessment Panels will be published on the agency’s website before applicants receive decisions on their applications.

Further information:

Henri Terho, Director, Arts and Culture Funding Department, [email protected], t. +358 295 249 006

Members of the Pool of Experts, 2026-2029

Adler, Terhi, Helsinki
Ahokas, Iiro, Helsinki
Ahsanullah, Yasmin, Tampere
Alaluusua, Elisa, Kemijärvi
Albrecht, Maija, Inkoo
Andelin, Nina, Helsinki
Andersson, Dag, Kemiönsaari
Antikainen, Pia, Helsinki
Anttila, Emma, Naantali
Appelgren, Tove, Turku
Arminen, Elina, Joensuu
Auerniitty, Mikko, Jyväskylä
Autio, Jaakko, Akaa
Autio, Joel, Turku
Backström, Heidi, Helsinki
Bergroth, Aina, Helsinki
Bergroth, Eeva, Helsinki
Bredenberg, Timo, Tampere
Brinkmann, Ayla, Helsinki
Cederberg, Moa, Maalahti
Chydenius, Jussi, Helsinki
Dahlsten, Annika, Turku
Dantchev, Anna, Helsinki
Duskova, Irina, Vihti
Egecioglu, Anni, Helsinki
Ekman, Janne, Tampere
El Broul, Dahlia, Espoo
Elg, Toni, Helsinki
Elivuo, Miia, Jyväskylä
Enoranta, Siiri, Tampere
Eriksson, Anna-Kaisa, Hämeenlinna
Eronen, Roope, Helsinki
Fakharzadeh, Farbod, Turku
Forsström, Jan, Helsinki
Fredriksson, Jussi, Turku
Freihoff, Katharina, Kemi
Garnets, Irina, Helsinki
Gauriloff, Katja, Rovaniemi
Gryta, Ilmari, Janakkala
Gullichsen, Kirsi, Helsinki
Haapanen-Nordell, Irmeli, Parainen
Hakoköngäs, Amanda, Tornio
Hakovirta, Jenni, Oulu
Hakulinen, Daniela, Helsinki
Halinen, Kaisaleena, Espoo
Halme, Mia, Karkkila
Halonen, Magdalena, Masku
Hamari de Rijk, Mia, Simo
Hamm, Kalle, Helsinki
Hannuksela, Riina, Helsinki
Hannula, Sari, Turku
Hauru, Juho-Aleksi (Aki), Espoo
Haveri, Minna, Hämeenlinna
Havukainen, Minna, Turku
Heikinheimo, Siljamari, Espoo
Heikkilä, Ulla, Helsinki
Heikkilä-Halttunen, Päivi, Tampere
Heino, Marjo, Eurajoki
Hellström, Marjo, Nakkila
Henriksson-Boynik, Minna, Helsinki
Herrala, Satu, Helsinki
Hiidensalo, Venla, Helsinki
Hillgen, Elisa, Mikkeli
Hilli, Sebastian, Helsinki
Hintsa, Antti, Seinäjoki
Hirvilammi, Teemu, Seinäjoki
Hirvonen, Pirjo, Helsinki
Hirvonen, Sanna, Joensuu
Hoffrén, Jari, Jyväskylä
Holm, Tanja, Seinäjoki
Holmström, Janette, Helsinki
Hosseini, Silvia, Tampere
Huhtakallio, Soili, Espoo
Hukkanen, Sanna, Joensuu
Huttu, Henna, Espoo
Huttunen, Riitta, Helsinki
Hyle, Oula, Helsinki
Hyrri, Juliana, Helsinki
Hyvärinen, Asta, Helsinki
Hyytiä, Riina, Helsinki
Hämäläinen, Kai, Lappeenranta
Härkönen, Ulla, Kajaani
Iivanainen, Hilkka-Liisa, Tampere
Ikonen, Antti, Helsinki
Issakainen, Tenka, Rovaniemi
Jaakkola, Inkeri, Lahti
Jensen, Anna, Helsinki
Jokelin, Liila, Tampere
Jussila, Kaisa, Tohmajärvi
Juutilainen, Hanna, Helsinki
Järvelä, Pilvi, Kaustinen
Järvinen, Jussi, Helsinki
Järvinen, Tomas, Porvoo
Kahiluoto, Atro, Helsinki
Kahrola, Hanna, Tampere
Kaija, Katriina, Rantasalmi
Kainulainen, Siru, Turku
Kakko, Venla-Eeva, Kemi
Kalkowski, Lisa, Helsinki
Kalleinen, Tellervo, Helsinki
Kalmi, Riina, Isojoki
Kanto, Hanna, Helsinki
Karila, Eemil, Rovaniemi
Karjalainen, Noora, Helsinki
Katajavuori, Riina, Helsinki
Kauppinen, Jari, Helsinki
Kauppinen, Petri, Oulu
Kaverma, Petri, Salo
Kela, Leena, Mynämäki
Kella, Hannu, Hollola
Kemppi, Taneli, Tampere
Keshvarpajuh, Hamidreza, Helsinki
Kettunen, Kaisa, Espoo
Kiiski, Hertta, Turku
Kinnunen, Aleksi, Helsinki
Király, Réka, Helsinki
Kiviniemi, Mika, Oulu
Klemola, Leea, Helsinki
Knuuttila, Anni-Sofia, Imatra
Koikkalainen, Hanna, Imatra
Kojo, Tuula, Helsinki
Koljonen, Tanja, Helsinki
Kopra, Taina, Tampere
Korkiamäki, Miisa, Pori
Korolainen, Hanna-Kaisa, Helsinki
Kortekangas, Olli, Helsinki
Koskinen, Mika, Helsinki
Krapovickas Lilja, Mercedes, Lohja
Kuisma, Kati, Helsinki
Kuittinen, Jonna, Joensuu
Kujanpää, Emmi, Helsinki
Kukko, Aapo, Oulu
Kummu, Essi, Oulu
Kurttila, Jaana, Kuopio
Kuusisto, Maija, Oulu
Kvitko, Veronika, Helsinki
Kännö, Heikki, Turku
Kärkkäinen, Tapani, Helsinki
Laakso, Harri, Akaa
Laaksonen, Esa, Helsinki
Laamo, Mina, Helsinki
Lampela, Jussi, Kokkola
Lampela, Kalle, Rovaniemi
Lappalainen, Jari, Joensuu
Latva, Jenni, Kurikka
Laukkanen, Oula Jukka, Paltamo
Lauri, Jarkko, Oulu
Lehmuskallio, Alma, Oulu
Lehtelä, Anne, Nokia
Lehtinen, Leevi, Oulu
Lehtola, Minna, Ivalo
Lehtonen, Jussi, Helsinki
Lehtonen, Paula, Helsinki
Leinonen, Anne, Mikkeli
Leinonen, Kati, Oulu
Leinonen, Veikko, Kajaani
Lietzen, Mika, Turku
Liimatainen, Kirsi Marie, Tampere
Lilja, Laura, Pori
Lindberg, Carl Sebastian, Helsinki
Linder, Pontus, Helsinki
Lindgren, Niklas, Helsinki
Linnusmäki, Tuula, Lempäälä
Lintumäki, Aki, Kuopio
Lisitsin-Mantere, Petra, Siilinjärvi
Liukkonen, Oga, Helsinki
Loukiainen, Jussi, Vaasa
Länsman, Elina, Utsjoki
Majabacka, Benny, Kaarina
Mantere, Olli, Kotka
Marin, Topi, Kajaani
Martikainen, Joonas, Rovaniemi
Martikainen, Lin, Helsinki
Meriläinen, Aku, Helsinki
Meusel, Angelika, Pori
Mickwitz, Peter, Helsinki
Mielonen, Helena, Helsinki
Milonoff, Aleksi, Helsinki
Minn, Even, Helsinki
Moberg, Camilla, Raasepori
Moila, Jussi, Helsinki
Moilanen, Marlon, Helsinki
Moilanen, Milla, Porvoo
Molin, Sofia, Turku
Mustafa, Moe, Helsinki
Mustonen, Annika, Helsinki
Myllylahti, Mikko, Karkkila
Mäkelä, Pauliina, Turku
Mäkelä, Saku, Helsinki
Mäkinen, Tiia-Mari, Joensuu
Nauha, Tero, Helsinki
Nevalainen, Lotta, Helsinki
Nieminen, Antti, Taipalsaari
Nieminen, Esa, Hanko
Nieminen, Inka, Helsinki
Niiranen-Mattsson, Hannele, Helsinki
Nio, Kalle, Espoo
Noroila, Fanni, Helsinki
Noronkoski, Juuso, Helsinki
Nuutinen, Katriina, Joensuu
Näsänen, Elena, Helsinki
Oikarinen, Antti, Riihimäki 
Ojala, Pilvi, Loppi
Oksanen, Hannu, Kuopio
Omwami, Päiviö Maurice, Helsinki
Opus, Kerttu, Tampere
Orenius, Susi Siriya, Helsinki
Owusu, Julian, Oulu
Paakki, Riitta, Helsinki
Paavilainen, Rosaliina, Helsinki
Pale, Mimosa, Joutsa
Pallasvuo, Jaakko, Helsinki
Palmgren, Reidar, Helsinki
Papunen, Riikka, Tampere
Parppei, Lauri-Matti, Helsinki
Partanen, Jaana, Kuopio
Pathirane, Henrik, Helsinki
Peippo, Salima, Kuopio
Pelkki, Sini, Helsinki
Pentti, Liisa, Helsinki
Penttinen-Lampisuo, Tuuli, Tampere
Perälä, Taru, Kauhajoki
Piispa-Hakala, Satu, Mikkeli
Pikkarainen, Juha, Helsinki
Pitkänen, Kirsi, Jyväskylä
Pohjola, Hanna, Siilinjärvi
Porko-Hudd, Mia, Vaasa
Puhakka, Eeva-Liisa, Kouvola
Pylkkänen, Cansu, Espoo
Päivikkö, Ulla, Joensuu
Pöykkö, Johanna, Oulu
Rannikko, Vesa-Pekka, Helsinki
Rantanen, Tytti, Helsinki
Raskinen, Minna, Kouvola
Remes, Helmi, Karkkila
Rintaniemi, Päivi, Seinäjoki
Rojola, Johanna, Helsinki
Rouhikoski, Juha, Hämeenlinna
Ruiz Santos, Dimas, Vaasa
Ruokonen-Iiramo, Ria, Vantaa
Ruscica, Jani, Helsinki
Ruth, Anna, Jyväskylä
Rytisalo, Minna, Kuusamo
Råst, Hanna, Helsinki
Räikkä, Nadja, Tampere
Räinä, Jenni, Oulu
Räsänen, Leevi, Helsinki
Römpötti, Harri, Helsinki
Rönkkö, Nastja, Helsinki
Saiyar, Azar, Helsinki
Salaniemi, Arda, Helsinki
Sallinen, Lauri, Rovaniemi
Salmi, Kaisa, Helsinki
Salo, Heikki, Tampere
Salonen, Pasi, Tampere
Sarno, Juho, Salo
Saumya, Vidha, Helsinki
Savela, Mika, Helsinki
Savolainen, Maija, Helsinki
Schweckendiek, Nils, Vantaa
Seppinen, Jutta, Helsinki
Seye, Elina, Helsinki
Sirkka, Miradonna, Helsinki
Sivill, Kaijamari, Helsinki
Sjöberg, Sami, Helsinki
Sjöblom, Sirkka-Liisa, Helsinki
Soinio, Kari, Helsinki
Soudakova, Anna, Helsinki
Strömberg-Schalin, Mikaela, Porvoo
Sundbacka, Anni, Kaarina
Sutinen, Virve, Helsinki
Suvanto, Reeta, Lahti
Taavitsainen, Katja, Kajaani
Taipale, Aada, Lahti
Taiviola, Kirsti, Helsinki
Takanen, Teemu, Savonlinna
Talvisto, Maiju, Helsinki
Tammi, Maija, Helsinki
Tamski, Minttu, Mikkeli
Tanner, Nelli, Vantaa
Taussi, Mira, Huittinen
Teponoja, Tuukka, Imatra
Terentjeva, Dess, Tampere
Teräs, Mila, Orimattila
Tietäväinen, Ville, Espoo
Tikkanen, Maisa, Savonlinna
Toivanen, Lotta, Helsinki
Toivoniemi, Jenni, Helsinki
Tonteri, Irma, Helsinki
Torkkel, Anna, Turku
Torkko-Muñoz, Virva, Kuopio
Tucker, Arlene, Oulu
Tuhkanen, Timo, Helsinki
Tukiainen, Katja, Helsinki
Tuohisto-Kokko, Minna, Ilmajoki
Tuomaala, Martta, Helsinki
Turkka, Tellu, Liperi
Turunen, Risto, Turku
Uuhka, Marissa, Helsinki
Vainio, Johanna, Helsinki
Valkeapää, Juha, Helsinki
Valta, Reijo, Kuopio
Valtakari, Jussi, Taivalkoski
van Ingen, Hanna, Helsinki
van Ingen, Sami, Helsinki
Vatanen, Niina, Helsinki
Venäläinen, Kristian, Laukaa
Viana, Pi, Porvoo
Vihriälä, Hanna, Tampere
Viljakka, Siiri, Turku
Virta, Sanni, Espoo
Virtanen, Jarkko, Helsinki
von Hellens, Victor, Helsinki
von Hertzen, Jojo, Helsinki
von Wright, Heidi, Vaasa
Väisänen, Päivi, Kuopio
Väntsi, Timo, Turku
Väyrynen, Mika, Turku
Wartio, Johanna, Helsinki
Welander, Jonas, Helsinki
Wiik, Mia, Vaasa
Yli-Vakkuri, Eero, Helsinki
Zaitsev, Darja, Oulu
Ängeslevä, Sonja, Helsinki