Jaakko Kuusisto appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Central Arts Council

The first policymaking duty of the Central Arts Council will be to decide the number of national arts councils, their names and their roles.

“This will be an important strategic decision that requires careful consideration. On the basis of our first meeting, I can say that I am very confident. We have a fine team of open-minded and enthusiastic experts with a constructive approach,” comments Chairperson Tiina Rosenberg.

The nomination procedure for the 13 regional arts councils has begun. Altogether 600 key regional bodies have been asked to propose candidates.

“Our intention is to appoint the members of the regional arts councils at the next meeting of the Central Arts Council at the beginning of March. At the same meeting we will also decide the number of national arts councils, their names and their roles,” Tiina Rosenberg says.

The Central Arts Council is appointed for a three-year term and plays a key role in determining the distribution of funds for the arts and making art policy guidelines. The council also makes proposals for granting the title of Art Academic.

The members of the Central Arts Council for its slightly extended first term (1 January 2013 to 31 August 2016) are: Rector of the University of the Arts Helsinki Tiina Rosenberg (Chairperson – Helsinki), musician Jaakko Kuusisto (Deputy Chairperson –Lahti), theatre and film director Pauliina Feodoroff (Ivalo), art academic Eija-Liisa Ahtila (Helsinki), artist Heikki Marila (Turku), university lecturer Alfonso Padilla (Helsinki), deputy mayor Piia Rantala-Korhonen (Oulu), publishing manager Saara Tiuraniemi (Hämeenlinna) and author Antti Tuuri (Helsinki).

Further information: Marjo Mäenpää, Acting Director of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, t. +358 295 330 719