Many people automatically associate the Children’s Culture Centre with the Seikkailupuisto adventure park in Kupittaa and its summer activities, including outdoor performances and events.
However, the Children's Culture Centre, which was established in 1982 and maintained by the City of Turku, organises activities for children and families throughout the year, while also employing many freelancers in the field of art. They work in theatre, music, dance circus, visual arts and animation.
The artists teach courses and run workshops, camps and events. They also produce and execute performances at the Timantti theatre. Activities are offered to age groups ranging from day-care and primary school pupils to secondary school pupils. For example, students in Valmo, which is a preparatory class for secondary school pupils, get to try out creating animations in the animation club.
Marika Leinonen-Vainio, the Executive Director of the Children’s Culture Centre, mentions that residency activities with Turku’s art institutions have also been launched.
“Turku's puppet theatre network Aura of Puppets and the Grus Grus theatre are producing performances for us at the Timantti theatre, and we offer our facilities to them already during the practice stage. We have collaborated before, when the Turku International Puppetry Festival's family-oriented shows were performed at Timantti."
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Aliisa Kallio, a director of theatrical expression who has worked with the Children's Culture Centre since 2019, enjoys working with children. Over the years, she has worked on creating events and artistic content aimed at children, both as a performing artist and as a director of theatre hobbies and theatre camps. Kallio was also involved in the creation of the Seikkis Live Youtube series in 2020.
Kallio says that, at best, a theatre hobby can be a source of inspiration to children and spark a lifelong interest in the theatre.
“Working with children is the best thing that a performing artist could hope for. Children are also a receptive audience, the interaction is intensive and the joy and energy is infectious on both sides.”
Naturally, there are challenges, too. Kallio says that in theatre hobbies, children are still practicing how to work in a group and how to be considerate of their friends. Both of these are very important skills in the world of theatre.
“I believe that the communal nature of theatre also provides a strong foundation for other parts of life.”
At the same time, Kallio has been able to develop high-quality pedagogical content for children interested in the theatre, together with other skilled and creative arts and culture professionals.
TEXT: HEIDI HORILA
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