Finland’s cultural sector seeks new funding solutions amid government cuts

The cultural sector in Finland is currently exploring ways to secure new funding streams to sustain itself and provide a livelihood for its employees. This urgency arises from recent cuts to arts funding by the state and municipalities. In early September, the government announced a reduction of €17.3 million in cultural and artistic support for the upcoming year, with the majority—€10 million—coming from theaters, orchestras, and museums.

Cultural professional Sari Kaasinen, a doctor of music and project leader in the European Capital of Culture initiative, notes that these cuts present a new challenge for the sector. “We must now tap into our creativity to find entirely new forms of funding,” she states. Furthermore, she emphasizes the need for cultural actors to adopt a more proactive approach in applying for national and EU project funding.

Kaisa Rönkkö, director of the Arts Promotion Centre, calls for cultural consumers to engage more, as wealthier individuals are currently spending less on culture than before, which is concerning, especially as lower-middle classes tend to follow suit.

Rönkkö advocates for increased collaboration among cultural entities to share resources, acknowledging that many organizations are relatively small. Additionally, Ossi Välimäki from the South Karelia Regional Council emphasizes that private funding from businesses could provide necessary financial support, urging the use of innovative mechanisms to attract such investments. He reiterates that culture thrives on diverse funding sources, and nurturing a profitable business model can assist in securing investors. Ultimately, if cultural funding grows, it will positively impact societal well-being, tax revenue, and local economies.