Selection of projects

Selected works combining art, wellbeing, participation, and international collaboration.
 

Consultation & Development Work

Supporting cultural wellbeing strategies at institutional, municipal, and national levels.

Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike)

Arts Development Manager for five years, working in close collaboration with the Ministries of Education & Culture and Social Affairs & Health. Focused on integrating art and wellbeing into national strategies for health, social inclusion, and equality. Led and supported initiatives at the intersection of culture, care, and policy. During the years, WHO launched it´´ s first scoping review of using art in health & wellbeing (2019) and Finnish government launched many recommendations for municipalities and local governments about cultural wellbeing. I was also financial advisor for social and health care sectors in culture & wellbeing proposals/tenders and gave funding consultation for art associations & private organizations. Website here

In Taike, I created artist in residency program in nursing homes and social & health care organisations. I brought our professional artist to work in sensitive surroundings and persuaded leaders & foundations to support our work financially. It was a learning lesson for five years, implementing art & wellbeing to extended audiences. In Psychiatric Juvenile Ward, we did history of having one month artist residency and giving highly suicidal teenagers new tools for life. we combined game art, visual art and printmaking for raising awareness for mental health & self-esteem for these beautiful young sensitive people. It is also documented in Finnish social and healthcare learning hub, Innokylä (In Finnish language) as a method. 

City of Turku (Finland) – Cultural Wellbeing Flagship

Consultant (via MDI - FCG consultation group) for Turku's city-level cultural wellbeing initiative. Contributed expertise in art, community engagement, and wellbeing strategy. Leading workshops for city council workers and strategists. City of Turku is the old capital of Finland full of culture, but strategy needed some sensitive polishing and cultural products some update. So I got invitation to come with inspiring ideas and back round of wellbeing & cultural product design in municipality level. City workers with much talent got their voices heard and possibility to impact on their own work. 

NDPC – Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture

Mentor, evaluator, and international expert. Reviewed cultural wellbeing EU -level project proposals and contributed to international dialogue, including as a speaker/advisor in Romania. Website here 

This unique platform in Nordic countries started to allocate project money for Art & wellbeing projects and new innovative ways to build resilience in Europe with using art & culture as part of wellbeing & health. I was reviewing projects in our steering group and worked as a mentor and a lecturer about how to run an art & wellbeing project in real life. It was also a priviledge to be part of new European Union recommendations launch event & part of specialist group in Romania 2022. 

Art & Wellbeing 

- artist, facilitator & concept designer

Art of Silence®️

A concept I developed in 2020 combining meditative presence, embodiment, and creative expression. Facilitated globally — in hospitals, schools, festivals, and online. Used in radiotherapy units, quiet gardens in hospital care, and wellbeing programs for youth and professionals in Finland, UK, and India. 

I got also invitation to lead a session on Helsinki Yoga Festival 2024 with a hall full of participants. After every session, I see grateful people, sometimes tears of forgotten self-love and respect. 

Tanssiva Lahja (The Dancing Gift)

A poetic dance project (2011–2013), created as a gift for elderly people in nursing homes like my late father. I conceived, coordinated, and led the production including applying the funding scheme for the program. In the project, a professional dancer moves with elderly people (like my father in his wheelchair) — a tender exploration of connection, memory, and love. It was also used in palliative care. Website here (IN FINNISH)

Participatory Concepts and Facilitation

Designing and guiding creative processes in care and community settings.

Participatory Art Program for Sairaala Nova

Commissioned by Central Finland Health District for Sairaala Nova (Jyväskylä). A long-term concept for bringing participatory art into the hospital's daily life and care culture. We worked daily with the hospital staff - all the answers and guidance for our work came directly from the field - not just us on the paper. This made the program unique in Finland and also internationally. Funding was gathered from hospital but also from outside resources and funds. 

Facilitation in Radiotherapy Unit

Together with visual artist Maarit Hedman, I facilitated a presence-based art process for staff and patients at the radiotherapy unit. The work focused on supporting inner calm, embodiment, and shared reflection in a demanding clinical setting. I was also coordinating the project first with the staff and leaders and financers. Everyone really loved our work and a question was raised: why can´ ´t this be always part of the healing program in hospital? 

Residency and Production Work

Producing artist residencies and new formats in healthcare and social care environments.

Artist Residency Programs in Healthcare

Produced artist residencies in 24/7 elderly care units, psychiatric outpatient services, and youth psychiatry at Sairaala Nova & Older people care homes during the years 2015-2022. 

AR Virtual Gallery

Produced Finland's first hospital-based augmented reality gallery 2024, offering an accessible and interactive art experience for patients and staff in clinical spaces. Together with Hospital Nova art committee, New Beat oy, Avek, Arilyn (AR-technology and design), Hospital Nova foundation. Gallery here

International Work and Talks

Developing, mentoring, and sharing art & wellbeing practices globally.

Manchester Royal Children's Hospital (UK)

Regular visiting expert (2016–2020), exploring the role of arts in paediatric care and international best practices. Invited by Lime Art, Whitworth Gallery and University of Manchester. Lime art website here 

Joie de Vivre – Pavilion Dance (UK)

Work exchange project focused on movement, wellbeing, and creative research into arts and health in the UK. Invited by Pavilion Dance South West, Bournemouth, UK. PDSW Website here 

NDPC – Northern Dimension Partnership on Culture

Mentor, application evaluator, and international expert at a cultural wellbeing forum in Romania.

Talks & Keynotes

Selected international lectures:

(London, UK)

(Cardiff, Wales)

(Budapest, Hungary – Art Therapy)

(Switzerland – Pain & Palliative Care)

• hundreds of keynotes, workshops, and trainings in Finland.