The Arts Promotion Centre Finland supported arts and culture in 2023 with a total of EUR 49.7 million in grants, subsidies and prizes. The recently published annual statistics show that the number of applicants and aid applications continues to grow, while the number of subsidies granted decreases.
A record 16,468 grant applications were received in 2023 – 23% more than in 2022. There was an increase of 17 per cent in applicants compared to 2022.
The number of applicants has been growing since 2020. By contrast, the number of grants and subsidies awarded has decreased. In 2023, an average of 23 per cent of applicants received a grant or grant from Taike, while the grant percentage was 27 per cent in 2022 and 35 per cent in 2019.
The total distribution by region remained fairly unchanged from previous years. 49 per cent of the applicants and 48 per cent of the recipients were from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Measured in euros, the amount of support increased most in Southwest Finland (up by EUR 453,000), Central Finland (EUR 169,000) and North Ostrobothnia (EUR 142,000). The amount of support decreased most in Uusimaa (down by EUR 193,000), Ostrobothnia (EUR 122,000) and Kainuu (EUR 105,000).
In recent years, the amount of support for community grants, in particular, has increased and reached the same level as support intended for private individuals. The increase in the total amount of community grants reflects both the forms of grants transferred from elsewhere to Taike's management and Taike's internal policies to strengthen community funding.
All in all, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland granted EUR 49.7 million in government transfers in the form of grants, subsidies and prizes in 2023. The total sum increased by 0.7% from the previous year.
Changes in aid funding
The year 2023 was the last year when Taike's support was funded from both the state budget and Veikkaus prize money. Of Taike's support sum for 2023, 48 per cent was paid from the state budget and 52 per cent of the profits from gambling operations were paid.
The proceeds of gambling operations became part of the central government's general budget as of 1.1.2024. In future, Taike's government transfers will be paid in full from state budget funds.