National arts councils

The national arts councils make decisions regarding the awarding of grants and awards.

The national arts councils make decisions regarding the awarding of state artist grants, as well as other grants and awards for artists, artist groups and organisations. The national arts councils also provides expert opinions. The expertise of members of regional arts councils, as well as that of external experts, may also be utilised in the peer reviews of applications.

The Central Arts Council decides the number of national arts councils, their names and their roles. The Central Arts Council also appoints the members of the national arts councils for two-year terms based on the recommendations of recognised experts in the fields of the arts and culture.

Members of national arts councils

National Council for Architecture and Design

The National Council for Architecture and Design is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the field of architecture. The council also provides expert advice.

National Council for Architecture and Design 2023–24

Chairperson

Anssi Lassila, architect, Professor of Working Life, Seinäjoki

Deputy Chairperson

Tuula Pöyhönen, designer, fashion designer, Helsinki

Other members

Henri Halla-Aho, designer, lecturer, Lahti
Marjut Kauppinen, architect, Helsinki
Wiebke Pandikow, artist, Helsinki
Tero Pennanen, interior architect, musician, Espoo
Panu Savolainen, Assistant Professor, Turku
Raija Siikamäki, DArts (Art and Design), MBA, Helsinki
Pekka Toivonen, artist, Helsinki
Samuel Valkeapää, university lecturer, Utsjoki
Satu Wäre-Åkerblom, architect, Helsinki

Presenting Officer

Lea Halttunen, Special Advisor

Information

Senni Suomala, Planning Officer

National Council for Architecture and Design 2021–22

Chairperson

Inni Pärnänen, Jewellery Artist, Helsinki

Other members

Kai Hämäläinen, Industrial Designer, Lappeenranta
Maija Kovari, Sculptor, Architect, Tampere
Anna van der Lei, Designer, Lecturer, Espoo
Janne Pihlajaniemi, Architect, Oulu
Tuula Pöyhönen, Designer, Clothing and Textile Designer, Helsinki
Tanja Sanila, Designer, Inari
Panu Savolainen, Architect, Associate Professor, Turku
Sauli Suomela, Design Director, Helsinki
Satu Wäre-Åkerblom, Architect, Helsinki

National Council for Audiovisual Art

The National Council for Audiovisual Art is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of cinema, media art, and light and sound art. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.

National Council for Audiovisual Art 2023–24

Chairperson

Mika Taanila, film director, Helsinki

Deputy Chairperson

Mikaela Eleni Westerlund, executive director, Espoo

Other members

Pia Andell, film director, Helsinki
Meri Ekola, lightning designer, Bryssel
Antti Pekka Ikonen, senior university lecturer, Helsinki
Tero Koistinen, MPhil, Helsinki
Albert Laine, producer, animation artist, Helsinki
Marjo Levlin, MVA, Helsinki
Melli Maikkula, scriptwriter, Helsinki
Reija Meriläinen, artist, Helsinki
Mika Ronkainen, film director, Oulu

Presenting Officer

Sari Ilmola, Special Advisor

Information

Nelli Sahlman, Planning Officer

National Council for Audiovisual Art 2021–22

Chairperson

Jenni Ukkonen, Film Distributor, Helsinki

Other members

Maija Blåfield, Artist, Film Director, Helsinki
Katja Gauriloff, Film Director, Rovaniemi
Albert Laine, Animation Artist, Helsinki
Melli Maikkula, Screenwriter, Helsinki
Janne Nabb, Visual Artist, Ylimarkku
Jaakko Niemelä, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Marjaana Rantama, Scenographer, Porvoo
Antti Selkokari, Film Critic, Helsinki
Mika Taanila, Film Director, Helsinki
Mikaela Westerlund, Executive Director, Espoo

National Council for Multidisciplinary Art

The National Council for Multidisciplinary Art evaluates applications in the fields of multidisciplinary art and diversity, as well as applications in the fields of art journalism, illustrations and comics.

National Council for Multidisciplinary Art 2023–24

Chairperson

Anna Ruth, MA, Jyväskylä

Deputy Chairperson

Juha Valkeapää, artist, Helsinki

Other members

Janne Auvinen, managing director, Turku
Liisa Kallio, illustrator, Helsinki
Marja-Terttu Kivirinta, arts critic, cultural journalist, Helsinki
Oula Jukka Laukkanen, graphic designer, Paltamo
Paola Livorsi, MMus, Helsinki
Wilhelm Kvist, MMus, cultural journalist, Helsinki
Pekka Rahkonen, illustrator, comic artist, Nokia
Tiitu Takalo, comic artist, Tampere
Jani Toivola, actor-writer, Helsinki

Presenting Officer

Tuulikki Koskinen, Special Advisor

Information

Antti Rundelin, Planning Officer

National Council for Literature

The National Council for Literature is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of literature. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.

National Council for Literature 2023–24

Chairperson

Marjo Heiskanen, writer, Kuopio

Deputy Chairperson

Tapani Kärkkäinen, Artist Professor, Helsinki

Other members

Johanna Hulkko, writer, Tampere
Malin Kivelä, writer, Helsingfors
Kuisma Korhonen, professor, Helsinki
Kaj Korkea-aho, writer, Helsingfors
Roope Lipasti, writer, Lieto
Raisa Marjamäki, MLitt, Ylöjärvi
Risto Turunen, professor, Joensuu
Helena Waris, writer, Mikkeli

Presenting Officer

Ansa Aarnio, Special Advisor

Information

Tuija Nevajuuri, Planning Officer

National Council for Literature 2021–22

Chairperson

Vesa Haapala, Author, Vantaa

Deputy Chairperson

Maria Turtschaninoff, Author, Karis

Other members

Marjo Heiskanen, Author, Helsinki
Koko Hubara (until 1.12.2021), Author, Journalist, Helsinki
Johanna Hulkko (from 1.12.2021), Author, Nokia
Maria Laakso, Literary Researcher, Tampere
Jyrki Lappi-Seppälä, Translator, Helsinki
Antti Salminen, Professor, Author, Ylöjärvi
Lotta Toivanen, Translator, Helsinki
Jouni Tossavainen, Author, Critic, Kuopio
Pauliina Vanhatalo, Author, Raahe

National Council for Music

The National Council for Music is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the field of music. The council also provides expert advice.

National Council for Music 2023–24

Chairperson

Eero Linjama, education and research manager, Salo

Deputy Chairperson

Aija Puurtinen, DMus, musician, Helsinki

Other members

Virpi Eroma, songwriter, artist, Helsinki
Inkeri Jaakkola, Dmus, Lahti (from 16.5.2024)
Hannu Kella, composer, musician, Hollola
Piia Kleemola-Välimäki, DMus, Seinäjoki (from 14.8.2024)
Olli Kortekangas, composer, Helsinki
Jussi Makkonen, cello artist, Nurmes
Maiju Talvisto, MPhil, MMus, Helsinki
Jonna Tervomaa, musician, Helsinki
Tellu Turkka, MA (Music), Joensuu (from 16.5.2024)
Milko Vesalainen, curator, Lappeenranta

Presenting Officer

Salla Mistola, Special Advisor

Information

Tuire Tapanainen, Planning Officer

National Council for Music 2021–22

Chairperson

Elina Mustonen, Artist Professor, Helsinki

Other members

Jussi Kannaste, Jazz Musician, Lecturer, Helsinki
Piia Kleemola-Välimäki, PhD (Music), Seinäjoki
Olli Kortekangas, Composer, Helsinki
Eero Linjama, Head of Education and Research, Salo
Riku Mattila, Producer, Musician, Helsinki
Jonna Tervomaa, Musician, Helsinki
Tellu Turkka, MA (Music), Joensuu
Milko Vesalainen, General Manager, Executive Director, Lappeenranta

National Council for the Performing Arts

The National Council for the Performing Arts is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of theatre, performance and live art, dance and circus. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.

National Council for the Performing Arts 2023–24

Chairperson

Petri Kauppinen, lecturer in dance, dance artist, Oulu

Deputy Chairperson

Rasmus Slätis, actor, Helsinki

Other members

Marie Antikainen, scenographer, Kuopio (from 1.9.2023)
Vesa-Petteri Asikainen, actor, Helsinki
Anniina Kumpuniemi, dancer-choreographer, executive director, Tampere
Soile Lahdenperä, dancer, choreographer, Helsinki
Satu Rasila, playwright, Turku
Virpi Rautsiala, MA (Theatre and Drama), Kuopio (until 31.8.2023)
Mikko Rinnevuori, MEd, Helsinki
Tomi Suovankoski, lightning designer, Helsinki
Anastasia Trizna, MA (Theatre and Drama), Helsinki
Minna Vainikainen, direcotr-choreographer, Helsinki
Ulla Hyväluoma, dance artist, Vaasa

Presenting Officer

Marja Susi, Special Advisor

Information

Anni Tappola, Planning Officer

National Council for the Performing Arts 2021–22

Chairperson

Raija Ojala, Expert, Helsinki

Deputy Chairperson

Virpi Rautsiala, Actress, Kuopio

Other members

Ari Ahlholm, Lecturer, Turku
Liisa Aurasmaa, Actress, Seinäjoki
Giorgio Convertito, Dance Artist, Helsinki
Petri Kauppinen, Dance Artist, Oulu
Tero Nauha, Performance Artist, Professor, Helsinki
Ulla Päivikkö, Dance Artist, Outokumpu
Virpi Rautsiala, Actress, Kuopio
Mikko Rinnevuori, Headmaster, Helsinki
Samuli Roininen, Dancer, Choreographer, Tampere
Jussi Sorjanen, Theatre Director, Director, Helsinki
Minna Vainikainen, Director, Choreographer, Helsinki

National Council for the Visual Arts

The National Council for the Visual Arts is responsible for making decisions regarding grants, subsidies and prizes within the fields of visual arts and photographic art. The council also provides expert advice in these fields.

National Council for the Visual Arts 2023–24

Chairperson

Vilma Pimenoff, artist, Helsinki

Deputy Chairperson

Panos Balomenos, MVA, Helsinki

Other members

Ala-Maunus Petri, visual artist, Helsinki (from 16 May 2024)
Frank Brümmel, visual artist, Turku
Jussi Juurinen, visual artist, Vantaa
Eemil Karila, visual artist, Rovaniemi
Heli Kaskinen, visual artist, Järvenpää (from 14 August 2023)
Rauha Mäkilä, MVA, Helsinki
Eeva Peura, visual artist, Helsinki
Lars Rebers, Senior teacher, photographic artist, Uusikaarlepyy
Aurora Reinhard, visual artist, Perniö (from 14 August 2023)
Nora Tapper, sculptor, Helsinki
Kari Vehosalo, visual artist, Helsinki (until 14.12.2023)

Presenting Officer

Kirsi Väkiparta, Special Advisor

Information

Sini Paloheimo-Voutilainen, Planning Officer

National Council for the Visual Arts 2021–22

Chairperson

Erika Kallasmaa, Illustrator, Espoo

Vice chairperson

Elina Försti, Painter, Alajärvi

Other members

Panos Balomenos, Visual Artist, Helsinki (from 8 March 2022)
Elina Brotherus, Photographic Artist, Helsinki (1.1. – 31.12.2022)
Ville Hänninen, Non-Fiction Author, Critic, Helsinki
Heta Kuchka, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Kalle Lampela, Associate Professor in Fine Arts, Rovaniemi
Pia Lindman, Visual Artist, Fagervik (from 8 March 2022)
Tuomas Nyqvist, Visual Artist, Helsinki
Tomas Regan, Visual Artist, Tampere
Jyrki Siukonen, Visual Artist, Researcher, Tampere
Maija Tammi, PhD (Art), Helsinki

Nanna Hänninen, Photographic Artist, Kuopio (until 31.12.2021)
Hilda Kozári, Visual Artist, Helsinki (until 7.3.2022)
Paula Tella, Visual Artist, Performance Artist, Helsinki (until 7.3.2022)

National Council for Diversity in the Arts (2021–22)

National Council for Diversity in the Arts awards grants, subsidies and an annual state prize to professional artists and arts communities active in the fields of multidisciplinary art and cultural diversity.

National Council for Diversity in the Arts 2021–22

Chairperson

David Kozma, Actor, Director, Helsinki

Other members

Pablo Álvarez, Clown, Producer, Helsinki

Mikael Brygger, Author, Turku

Tove Djupsjöbacka, MPhil (Aesthetics), Helsingfors

Maija Karhunen, Dancer, Helsinki

Satu Miettinen, Professor in Service Design, Dean, Rovaniemi

Mazdak Nassir, Director, Helsinki

Anna Ruth, Visual Artist, Curator, Jyväskylä

Juha Valkeapää, Artist, Helsinki

Nita Vera, Photographic Artist, Helsinki

Presenting Officer

Tuulikki Koskinen, Special Advisor (Multidisciplinary Art)

Tiina-Kaisa Haanpää, Special Advisor (Cultural Diversity until 16.9.2022)

Lea Halttunen, Special Advisor (Cultural Diversity)

Information

Silja Tuhkunen, Planning Officer