Finnish Institute in London


The Finnish Institute in London is a non-profit, private foundation funded by The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. It is one of the 17 Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes and operates in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Finland. The institute employs four staff members. The current director for the fixed term of 2018–2022 is :fi:Emilie_Gardberg|Emilie Garberg. The institute runs two programmes: Arts & Culture and Society & Culture.
The Institute collaborates closely with and the . It is also a member of , the network of the cultural institutes from the member states of the European Union in London.

Mission and values

The institute is an expert organisation of Finnish, British and Irish culture and society. Its goal is to increase Finland’s international soft power through cultural programming. Building networks and partnerships between Irish, British and Finnish organisations and individuals is at the heart of all of its activities. Instead of marketing Finnish brands or products, the institute aims for cross-promoting inspiring people, innovations and ideas in all three countries. It supports the values of social justice, democracy, diversity and equality through all its activities.
In practice this means for example producing and commissioning different projects, supporting exhibitions and performances, expert visits and seminars as well as running artists’ residence programmes.
In the year 2019, the Finnish Institute in London will focus on four themes: Sustainability, Future of Work, Borders & Freedom of Movement and Art & Wellbeing.

Artists’ residence programmes

In 2019 the Institute supports Finnish artists’ residencies at , and Temple Bar Gallery & Studios.
The Institute funds the North AiR : Expanding Entanglements programme, which is a new residency and research cooperation spanning six residency/arts organisations in Scotland and Finland. It is made up of Bioart Society, KulttuuriKauppila Art Centre], and Timespan.

History

Finnish Institute in London was founded in 1991. The opening of its first premises in Holborn London was attended by the Finnish Prime minister at Esko Aho and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester. From 2014 the institute has had an office at Kings Cross, London.
List of directors:
Eino Lyytinen 1991–1993
Jaakko Rusama 1993–1996
Henrik Stenius 1996–1999
Panu Minkkinen 1999–2002
Timo Valjakka 2002–2005
Seppo Kimanen 2005–2008
Raija Koli 2008–2013
:fi:Susanna Pettersson|Susanna Pettersson 2013–2014
Johanna Vakkari October 2014–January 2015
Pauliina Ståhlberg 2015–2018
:fi:Emilie Gardberg|Emilie Gardberg 2018–