Eight artists selected to receive mentoring in the Making space for artistry project

The Making space for artistry -project promotes work opportunities, equity and visibility of disabled artists and artists who are Sign Language users. In the autumn 2023, the project will offer eight art and culture makers an experienced mentor in their own field.

A total of 19 art and culture makers applied for mentoring. Out of them eight wonderful art and culture makers in different stages of their careers were selected. They work in the fields of music, theater, dance, literature and modeling. Those selected have chosen their own mentor.

The mentees and mentors are Anniina Ala-Soini and Hanna-Riikka Kuisma, and Susanne Ekroth and Leena Virtanen from the field of literature, Tara Kotkas and Loa Carlslund from the field of dance, Mika Leminen and Linda-Maria Raninen, Joose Ojala and Johanna Juhola, and Heidi Torn and Ninni Wetterstrand from the field of music, Kati Aartoila and Saara Sihvonen from modeling and Elisa Syväoja and Johanna Mattila from performing arts. We will introduce the mentee-mentor pairs and their work in more detail on our social media channels throughout the fall.

The interests and aims of the mentee for their career are the starting point for the mentoring. The mentees and mentors are free to define their ways of working together. In addition to sharing and working on the content of the art, working methods and artist identity, mentoring can also focus on things related to working in the art field, for example studies or applying for them, networking, finding work opportunities or making applications and portfolios. The aim is that the work of both the mentee and the mentor is mutually enriched.

Background:

Making space for artistry is a project funded by Kone Foundation in 2022-2024 to promote working opportunities and equity of disabled artists and artists who are Sign Language users. The project is carried out by Culture for All and the Cultural Association Finland’s Eucrea. www.tilaataiteilijuuteen.fi

More information:

Riikka Hänninen, project coordinator, riikka@tilaataiteilijuuteen.fi, tel. 050 3080232

Maija Karhunen, project manager, maija.karhunen@cultureforall.fi, tel. 040 166 2827