Central Arts Council

Note: The Finnish Arts and Culture Agency’s peer review system is being restructured. The national and regional arts councils together with the Central Arts Council were discontinued as of 30 June 2026. The new structure comprises a Council of Arts and Culture utilising a Pool of Experts and rotating Grant Assessment Panels to review applications. Find out more on our website.

The Central Arts Council is an expert body of Taike that decides on the roles, names and number of national arts councils. It also appoints the members of the national and regional arts councils for two-year terms.

The Central Arts Council submits proposals to Taike regarding the distribution of funds for the arts and decides on the use of development funds allocated to the Central Arts Council. In addition, the Central Arts Council serves as an advisory body to the Ministry of Education and Culture in policymaking regarding the arts.

The members of the Central Arts Council are appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture for a three-year term. All members of the Central Arts Council are recognised experts in the arts and culture.

The presenting officer for the Central Arts Council is Emilie Gardberg, General Director of Kuvi, and her assistant is special advisor Tuulikki Koskinen.

Central Arts Council 2025–2026

Juha Itkonen (chairperson)
author

Sari Kaasinen
musician

Virpi Kanniainen
museum director

Rosa Meriläinen
executive director

Jussi Rantamäki
film producer

Paula Vesala
musician