Members of Uniarts Helsinki appointed to the new Council of Arts and Culture (2026–2029)
The Finnish Government appointed the members of the Council of Arts and Culture for a three-year term in June. Several members of the University of the Arts Helsinki community are represented on the Council during its first term.
Among the Council members is Riikka Talvitie, a visiting researcher and composer at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. Also appointed to the Council was director Maarit Ruikka, who served as Dean of the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki from 2018 to 2023. Anita Seppä, Professor at the University of the Arts Helsinki Research Institute, serves as an deputy member of the Council.
In addition, many Council members are alumni of the University of the Arts Helsinki, including Samu Forsblom, Programme Director, who was appointed Chair of the Council.
The other members are director Pauliina Feodoroff, sculptor Krister Gråhn, critic and non-fiction writer Ville Hänninen, choreographer Jyrki Karttunen, director David Kozma, architect Anssi Lassila, actor Virpi Rautsiala, producer Outi Rousu, author Pajtim Statovci, and author Hannele Mikaela Taivassalo.
The other deputy members are producer Katri Saukonpää, director Päivi Setälä, director Matti Hakamäki, dean Satu Miettinen, actor and musician Olavi Uusivirta, and professor Ilona Hongisto.
Peer review, awards and expertise
The Council began its three-year term on 1 July 2026. The term will end on 30 June 2029. The appointment of the Council of Arts and Culture is connected to the new peer review structure and the resulting discontinuation of the previous arts councils.
The Council will operate in conjunction with the Finnish Arts and Culture Agency and decide on the awarding of government grants and arts prizes based on peer reviews conducted within the Grant Assessment Panels. The Council will also make proposals for the title of Art Academic and serve as an expert body on arts and cultural policy. The principles of peer reviews, the autonomy of art and regional equality will be maintained in decision-making.
According to the Finnish Government, the same person may serve as chair, member, or alternate member of a committee for a maximum of two consecutive terms and may be reappointed only after a break of at least three years. The Council’s members and alternate members are expected to represent broad expertise in arts and cultural policy from a variety of perspectives.