We are the Observatory
Aalto University’s Department of Art and Media conducts research and artistic activities on a wide range of topics and themes. These include art education, contemporary art, curating, game design, new media, photography, visual communication design and visual culture. The department offers education at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.
Aalto University is the administrator of the Finnish Observatory for Arts and Cultural Education. In the observatory’s activities, Aalto University’s Department of Art and Media is represented by Professor Anniina Toiviainen and Associate Professor Tomi Slotte Dufva.
The University of the Arts Helsinki's cERAda research network (formerly the Center for Educational Research and Academic Development in the Arts) is the administrator, co-owner and founding member of the Finnish observatory for arts and cultural education.
cERAda's activities focus on research in arts education and on research-based development of higher education in the arts. The research responds to the development needs of arts education and higher education in the arts, as well as the professional development needs of artists and arts educators.
In the Observatory, the research network is represented by Professor Eeva Anttila and University Researcher Tuulikki Laes.
The dialogue between science and art is an active part of the in studies, research and art, as well as in collaboration with different sectors of society. The connection between science and art is further strengthened by the faculty’s location as part of a multidisciplinary research university.
The faculty works in the fields of environmental art, community art and winter art, and develops methods for service design and art education. Through international community networks it builds a bridge to the culture, art and art education of the northern regions of Europe.
In the activities of the Observatory, the Faculty of Art and Design at the University of Lapland is represented by Professor Mirja Hiltunen and Associate Professor Maria Huhmarniemi.
is the Observatory’s second owner and a founding member. The association promotes the operating conditions of professionally run children’s and youth cultural centres and strengthens expertise and awareness in the field of children’s culture nationwide. The association organises the The Annual Children’s Culture Forum and offers networking opportunities for children’s culture practitioners.
In the Observatory’s activities, the association is represented by its executive director Aleksi Valta and a deputy board member, as well as Susanna Metsälä, senior specialist in arts education at Annantalo.
is to promote the mental health of children and young people by supporting research, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation related to psychiatric and psycho-social disorders and social exclusion, as well as education in the field and development and publication activities, in cooperation with other actors in the field both nationally and internationally.
In the activities of the observatory, The Haukkala Foundation is represented by the chair of the foundation, emerita professor of psychology (University of Jyväskylä) Lea Pulkkinen, who since the 1990s has worked actively to promote arts and cultural hobbies that take place in connection with the school day.
serves as a link between its member organisations and promotes the social recognition and status of basic education in the arts. At the core of the association’s activities is the promotion of cooperation between different art forms and of equality in arts education.
The association participates in the discussion on basic education in the arts and seeks to influence decisions concerning the field and its funding. The association comments on current education and cultural policy issues and participates as an expert in the activities of networks in the field.
In the Observatory’s activities, the Finnish Association for Basic Education in the Arts is represented by its executive director Viivi Seirala and the executive director of Finnish Crafts Organization, Taito Organization, Minna Hyytiäinen.
(KoL) is an advocacy organisation founded in 1919. KoL acts as an advocate for adult education centres, workers' institutes and liberal adult education.
In the Observatory's activities, The Finnish Association of Adult Education Centres is represented by the association's executive director, Jaana Nuottanen.
is represented in the Observatory by Counsellor of Education Alma Muukka-Marjovuo.
finances the observatory’s operations.