The author Elina Karjalainen and the artist Jan-Erik Andersson have been awarded the 2004 State Prize for Children’s Culture. The recognition awarded by the Arts Council of Finland is 24,000 euros. The sum will be divided between the two recipients, both receiving 12,000 euros.
At the same event the Minister of Culture Tanja Karpela also handed out the 2004 Lastenpäivä awards. There were two winners, the Sami language association of Inari Anârâskielâ Servi and Keski-Suomen elokuvakeskus (Central Finland centre for film). Both received 8,400 euros.

The National Council for Photographic Art has given the 2004 State Prize for Photographic Arts to the photographer Leena Saraste. The National Council for Visual Arts has granted the 2004 State Prize for Visual Arts to the artist Helinä Hukkataival. The awards are each 13,000 euros.

For more information contact
- photographic art: Seppo Kauhanen tel. (09) 1607 7378
- visual arts: Ansa Aarnio tel. (09) 1607 7945

The Central Arts Council 20 September
The National Council for Architecture 21 September
The National Council for Photographic Art 21 September
The National Council for Theatre 22 September
The National Council for Dance 22 September
The National Council for Visual Arts 23 September
The National Council for Literature 24 September
The National Council for Desing 24 September
The National Council for Cinema 5 October
The National Council for Music 6 October

More information from senior advisors, see Administrative office for more details.

The office at the Arts Council of Finland is open during the summer at office hours (until 4.15 pm). Please note, that the person you are trying to reach might be on holiday. In those cases contact tktinfo@minedu.fi or +358 9 1607 7921

 Honkasalo Pirjo, Filmdirector 1.7.2001 - 30.6.2006 
 Ahti Risto, Author 1.6.2004 - 31.8.2008 
 Krohn  Leena, Author 1.7.2000 - 30.6.2005 
 Seppänen  Matti, Fashion Designer 1.7.2001 - 30.6.2006 
 Rantanen  Silja, Artist 1.7.2000 - 30.6.2005 
 Heiskanen  Kari, Actor 1.1.2002 - 31.12.2006 
 Heikkinen Mikko, Architect 1.9.2003 - 31.8.2008
 Donner  Henrik Otto, Composer 1.7.2000 - 30.11.2004 
 Kimanen  Seppo, Cellist 1.7.2000 - 30.6.2005 
 Jokisalo Ulla, Artist  1.6.2004 - 31.5.2009
 Aaltokoski Alpo, Dance Artist 1.9.2003 - 30.8.2008 

The Research Council for Culture and Society of the Academy of Finland targets funding for research in the arts. Funding is granted in co-operation with the Arts Council of Finland. The goal is to strengthen research and researcher training in the arts as well as to promote the interaction between art and research. 

The Academy of Finland provides funding for the research aspect of projects, while the Arts Council of Finland provides funding for artistic aspects. 

Applications being submitted to the Academy of Finland must contain all project-related information, including information related to artistic and design productions. Funding sought from the Arts Council of Finland and the specific nature of the project related to such funding must be specified in a separate appendix. 

The applications shall be submitted to the Academy Registrar's office no later than Friday 14 May 2004. Mailing address P.O. Box  99, 00501 Helsinki (street address Vilhonvuorenkatu 6)
Email: kirjaamo@aka.fi (orders for forms, Guide for Applicants, brochures, user names for online services)
Read more from www.aka.fi

Artist’s grants are the same as civil servants’ salary grade A9 (from march 2004 1206,75 € per month, total in year 2004 14 427,56 €).

The Government appointed the new members for the National Art Councils and the Arts Council of Finland for the next three-year term starting on 1 January 2004 and ending on 31 December 2006. Director of Folk Art Institute Hannu Saha is the new chairperson of the Arts Council of Finland.

Nine National Art Councils subordinate to the Ministry of Education operate in Finland. In their specific fields, the National Art Councils serve as expert bodies for the Ministry of Education and, for example, award state grants for artists. The Chairs of the new National Art Councils are Jukka-Pekka Laakso, Festival Director (National Council for Cinema); Jukka Parkkinen, author (National Council for Literature); Ilkka-Juhani Takalo-Eskola, Visual Artist (National Council for Visual Arts);  Pekka Saarela, Director of the Continuing Education and Development Centre of the University of Art and Design Helsinki (National Council for Design); Riitta Seppälä, Director (National Council for Theatre); Anna Brunow, Architect (National Council for Architecture); Pekka Nissilä, Musician (National Council for Music); Sanna Pohjonen, Producer, Kiasma Theatre (National Council for Dance) and Asko Mäkelä, Director, the Finnish Museum of Photography (National Council for Photography).

The Arts Council of Finland comprises the Chairs of the National Art Councils and six other members. From the beginning of 2004, the Chair of the Arts Council of Finland will be Hannu Saha, Artistic Director of Kaustinen Folk Arts Centre, the deputy Chair being Riitta Seppälä, Director of the Finnish Theatre Information Centre. Other members include Umayya Abu-Hanna, Author and Journalist; Tuija Leikkonen, Dance Artist; Vivian Lygdbäck, Director of Cultural Affairs; Markku Möttönen, Journalist and Anna Vilkuna, Director of Victor Barsokevitsch Photographic Centre.

Jarmo Malkavaara is the Secretary General of the Arts Council of Finland.