Saastamoinen Foundation finds it important that Uniarts Helsinki’s research into education of artists is developed further, as it provides support for teaching.
Saastamoinen Foundation, known for its support for Finnish art and science, is donating half a million euros to Uniarts Helsinki. Through its donation, the foundation wants to strengthen university education in the arts as well as research in the field in Finland.
The donation is made to Uniarts Helsinki’s Strengthen the Power of Art fundraising campaign, which will increase the university’s capital. The university uses the return on the capital to implement its strategy, for example by developing education of artists as well as research in the field. The Government will invest up to 2.5 euros for each euro that the university receives from donors.
“We consider Uniarts Helsinki a central operator in arts education and research, both in Finland and abroad. We hope that our donation can help Uniarts Helsinki to develop into a globally leading university in research in art pedagogy, among other fields,” says Chair of the Board of Saastamoinen Foundation Petteri Karttunen.
Saastamoinen Foundation has long been a central collaboration partner for Uniarts Helsinki. The foundation has provided major support for the international mobility of young artists at Uniarts Helsinki’s Academy of Fine Arts, and it also donated the funds needed to establish a five-year professorship in fine art pedagogy. Research in university pedagogy in the arts is a new and emerging field, and Uniarts Helsinki has named it one of the focus areas in its research profile.
“We are extremely grateful to Saastamoinen Foundation for their significant contribution. It reflects the profound understanding of Uniarts Helsinki’s unique position as an educator of new generations of artists. From the perspective of Uniarts Helsinki, it is important that there are strong supporters of art like Saastamoinen Foundation in our country and that they are willing to give their long-term support for arts education and research. The matched funding from the Government further enhances the impact of the donation,” notes Rector of Uniarts Helsinki Kaarlo Hildén.
The Government’s matched funding campaign runs from 15 June 2020 to 30 June 2022. During the campaign, Uniarts Helsinki collects donations from foundations, businesses and private individuals.
Photo: Veikko Kähkönen / Uniarts Helsinki
