Metsähallitus cooperation

Introduction

Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy and Metsähallitus began collaborating in 2017 to enliven Metsähallitus’ nature and culture sites. Metsähallitus is a state-owned agency that manages Finland’s nature sites. The collaboration soon expanded to cover the whole of our university: the Sibelius Academy, the Academy of Fine Arts and the Theatre Academy.

Art in Vallisaari island

The collaboration enables art events and performances that are open for the public. The main site of these events is Vallisaari island at the coast of Helsinki. One of the first projects in the island was a course “Think Like a Forest” in May 2018 that explored synergies between art and science. It was co-organised by Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy and University of Helsinki. In autumn 2018 a performance “Tsernobylistä nousee rukous”, directed by student Maia Häkli, was performed in Vallisaari and included students from Uniarts Helsinki’s all academies. MA students in Ecology and Contemporary Performance also premiered their artistic thesis projects in Vallisaari in 2018. In addition, Vallisaari has been the site for several of our courses that have been able to utilize the unique environment of the island in their teaching and research.

Kuninkaansaari island

In summer 2020, activities expanded to Kuninkaansaari, located next to Vallisaari, where Uniarts Helsinki implemented an art programme titled Saari 2020 (Island 2020). The programme consisted of intimate and multidisciplinary performances, installations, workshops, and discussions by Uniarts Helsinki students, invited artists and alumni. The opening event was held on 20 August 2020.