<p>Visit the culture portal of Finland<br />
<a href="http://www.kulttuuri.net">Kulttuuri.net</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The Mandate</strong></p>

<p>The Arts Council of Finland was established by legislation in 1967. Its mandate is to promote Finnish art.</p>

<p>The Council serves professional arts, community arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, folk or traditional culture, writing, translation, media arts, film, video, multi- media and arts education.</p>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>provides financial support to arts/cultural organisations</li>
<li>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture</li>
<li>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture</li>
<li>develops national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>implements national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>evaluates national arts/cultural policies</li>
<li>conducts research in the arts/culture</li>
<li>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture</li>
<li>awards prizes/honours in the arts/culture</li>
<li>publishes books and/or magazines</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>The Governing Body</strong></p>

<p>The Arts Council consists of the chairpersons of the nine national arts councils and six other members appointed by the government. It</p>

<ul>
<li>Acts as an advisory body to the Ministry of Education in matters of cultural policy</li>
<li>Grants direct support to professional artists, e.g., project and travel grants</li>
<li>Acts as a coordinating body for the nine national arts councils, each of which represents a specific art form (the national arts councils also grant support to artists and to some institutions and act as advisory bodies to the Ministry).</li>
</ul>

<p>The chairpersons of the nine national arts councils are appointed from among persons proposed by the major organisations and institutions in the art form. Geography, gender and language minority are also taken into consideration.</p>

<p>The governing body may have 15 members, and the length of term is 3 years. The chairmanship is a full-time position.</p>

<p><strong>The Staff</strong></p>

<p>The staff of the Council are government employees; they currently number 17. The chief executive officer is appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Council does not have regional offices, but there are 13 independent regional arts councils in Finland.</p>

<p><strong>Relationship with Government</strong></p>

<p>The Arts Council of Finland was established at arms length from government. The department with which it has the closest relationship is the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Council&#39;s independence from government is ensured by legislation and regulations.</p>

<p>The Council must file an annual report with the legislature or government, and its financial accounts are audited by the government auditor or an auditor appointed by the government. The government appoints the members of the governing body, including the chairman.</p>

<p>The Government</p>

<ul>
<li>establishes the overall policies within which the Council works</li>
<li>determines the amount of funding the organization receives</li>
</ul>

<p>The Council</p>

<ul>
<li>determines its own policies</li>
<li>determines its own current priorities</li>
<li>establishes its own strategic plan</li>
<li>selects its staff members</li>
<li>establishes its various funding programs</li>
<li>determines who will receive its financial support</li>
</ul>

<p>The allocation of the Councils budget to various programs and activities is in part determined by the government and in part by the Council. The government can give directions to the Council on budgetary matters.</p>

<p>The Council cooperates with other arts funding bodies. These bodies are not part of the Council.</p>

<p><strong>Budget and Revenue Sources</strong></p>

<p>The total state arts budget for Finland is about&nbsp; &euro;13.1 m&nbsp;(approx US$16m). The major part of this money is for legally required subsidies to cultural institutions. The discretionary part of the budget is granted either by the Arts Council or by the Ministry. Ministry decisions are usually based on the Arts Councils expert evaluations.</p>

<p>Nearly 100% of the Councils budget comes from the government. It receives annual funding from the government&#39;s general revenues or culture budget and government revenues derived from lottery or gaming. Over the last five years, government funding has slightly increased. A very small proportion of the Council&#39;s money is generated from sales of publications.</p>

<p><strong>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</strong></p>

<p>The Arts Council of Finland provides financial support to organisations and individuals. Most of its financial support programs are organised by discipline or sector.</p>

<p>Council funds can be used for</p>

<ul>
<li>creation</li>
<li>research and development</li>
<li>production, presentation and exhibition</li>
<li>publication</li>
<li>operations of an organisation</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</strong></p>

<p>Applications for financial support are subject to peer evaluation by the members of the councils and panels, which make the funding decisions. A person may serve as a peer assessor for a period of three years. Conflict of interest rules prohibit those with a likelihood of bias from serving.</p>

<p>Grant applications are peer evaluated by members of the council&#39;s assessment panels. members of which serve for a period of three years and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.&nbsp; After a break of three years the peer can stand again.&nbsp; The assessment panels are bound by conflict of interest regulations.</p>

<p><strong>Greatest Current Strength</strong></p>

<p>This year, the Arts Council of FInland&#39;s&nbsp;autonomy and decision-making power have increased.</p>