During the regional tour of the Cultural Policy Report carried out during the spring, actors in the arts and culture sectors, experiencers and local actors were heard. At the seminar finalising the Cultural Policy Report in Vantaa on 6.6.2024, decision-makers and business representatives in particular wanted to be heard from the wishes of the public and the field, writes Senior Specialist Salla Mistola.
The seminar started with a panel discussion facilitated by Liisa Suvikumpu, Secretary General of the Report on Cultural Policy. The panel consisted of Sophia Jansson, Chairman of the Board of Moomin Characters Ltd, Sakari Puisto, Chair of the Economic Affairs Committee and future Minister of Economic Affairs, Sari Multala, Minister of Culture and Science, Hannu Krook, President and CEO of S Group, and Kaarina Gould, CEO of the Finnish Museum of Architecture and Design Foundation.
The panel hoped that actors in the arts and culture sector would be proud of what they do instead of being defensive. The siloed nature of the cultural debate was seen as a clear problem: "Cultural workers mostly talk to each other, rather than to decision-makers or people from the commercial side. We need to gather people from different groups in such a way that we can have a very creative discussion," said Sophia Jansson.
Untapped potential of the cultural sector through corporate cooperation and donations
"From what different streams does that money come to the creative industries and where can we get more of it? How can we get rid of the idea that the Ministry of Education and Culture's bag of money is "the thing"?" asked Liisa Suvikumpu to the panellists. "Funding for culture comes from households more than double what it does from the state. The share of municipalities and central government is the second largest, EUR 2.2 billion. The importance of the municipality is terribly important, especially where there are not so many people. Only then comes the private money that is donated to culture. It's really small and there's potential to grow. The reduction in donations was decided in the government discussion on spending limits, so that can contribute to this," Minister of Culture Multala said.
"It's difficult, but on the other hand, we have a huge need for growth, so I would go for it through adding value. Like Sari, I see the potential in private money. Fundraising should be understood as a long, intergenerational project," said Puisto.
"We have a skills gap, a broker ladder. What is lacking is the glue that understands the cultural field, the needs and the rewards it could offer to the business community. We should be able to build training programmes and competence development into that interface," suggested Kaarina Gould. However, he noted that the same model does not work for all actors, not always good examples can be copied.
"It's terribly difficult for cultural people to see how they could offer us commercial benefits. Instead of coming to ask for money, we should offer some kind of cooperation that would be rewarded. The company's mission is to make a profit and serve shareholders," said Krook.
The panellists hoped that Finns would have more ambition and a high level of ambition in areas such as the export of culture and art. The seminar audience hoped for the same from the vision of the report.
The first version of the report's vision was seen
Secretary General Suvikumpu presented the vision of the report, which focused on increasing creativity and seeing culture as a force for social and economic change. Suvikumpu addressed this through four perspectives: culture as a force for change, cultural creators and experiencers at the centre, everyone's rights in culture, and international impact. Of course, all these themes were connected to the content.
In the 2040s, culture will unite Finland and inspire us to build a more sustainable and humane future. As a result of successful cultural policy, people's perceived participation and meaningfulness produce broad-based education, well-being, and social and economic value. -Vision of the Report on Cultural Policy 6.6.2024
Among the audience, Break the Fight! Arja Tiili, Director of Oy, reminded that in order to realise the vision, funding channels must be put in order specifically for content building. In part, Tiili strengthened the views presented in the panel, as according to him, artists would also like more financial expertise. Kimmo Levä, Director General of the Finnish National Gallery, pondered that the vision itself contains the right things – but will this not be realised until the 2040s: "Aren't we already like this?"
The audience discussion praised the vision and the broad scope of participation, but at the same time reminded of the role of creators, the significance of art in relation to culture and copyright. Several speakers also emphasised the need to extend industrial policy and other policy areas to the measures and perspectives of the report. Mikael Kinanen, Executive Director of the Free Communities of the Performing Arts Association, hoped for a higher level of ambition and courage to look to the future: "We need new, better and more efficient solutions. We need more blade to bring that change into the vision."
Much has been said about the report – consultation round coming up
Taike has organised public events related to the Cultural Policy Report in different parts of Finland and discussions with professionals around fifty times. In addition, the members of the steering group have visited various events frequently. Kulta ry launched cultural policy living room discussions in early spring. On the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture, it was possible to submit your own answers to the topic through the form. In addition, numerous parties have taken positions with various statements and statements. The report will be completed by 30.6.2024, when it will be submitted to the Government. A consultation round on the report will be organised in the autumn. The Government will submit the report to Parliament for consideration in autumn 2024.
Recounting the process of the report, Taike's Director Kaisa Rönkkö was concerned about the polarisation of the cultural debate: "We wanted to hear from those who don't usually talk about culture. We try to find a different perspective. We got feedback that the wrong people were speaking the wrong way." Rönkkö reminded that we all have a responsibility for cultural policy discussion and cultural debate, and especially for valuing the perspective of those who experience it.