Research has shown that culture promotes health, well-being and inclusion. The impacts of culture and art on well-being can be enjoyed both by the experiencer and the creator.
Most of Turku's diverse cultural offering is aimed at all city residents. There are also plenty of tailored, targeted and low-threshold services for children, young people and seniors.
As part of the City of Turku's Cultural Spearhead Project, we have developed both target group-specific and regional cultural well-being services, and the work continues in cooperation between the city and its partners.
Clarity in cultural well-being services
Based on a study prepared in 2023, we launched a project to develop the city's cultural well-being products, such as the age- and target group-specific culture cards and bracelets. The product clarification aims at a uniform product family that makes it easier to find and use services.
A more uniform operating model, clearer service paths and recognisable communication ensure that different target groups can find cultural services for them.
We also support access to services through outreach work by actively providing information to those who might not otherwise find it. This work is carried out together with social welfare, health care and employment services and the third sector.
Cultural invitations provide experiences and peer support
The Turku Culture Guest scheme is a new service developed in cooperation between the Cultural Spearhead Project and the wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland (Varha). The service is intended for families participating in family counselling at the child health clinic.
By receiving a cultural invitation, the family can participate free of charge in courses at the Children's Culture Centre, exhibitions at city museums, concerts of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra or baby events at the city library, for example. The aim is to bring joy and new experiences to the day-to-day life of families and to support parenthood.
The family counsellors at Varha help families benefiting from the service find suitable cultural activities. If necessary, they can also participate in the activities together with the family. This lowers the threshold to try something new, as the family is not left alone with just the invitation ticket.
The Cultural Guest scheme was piloted in family counselling at the child health clinics from autumn 2023 to summer 2024. Following the successful pilot, it will continue as a permanent part of family counselling at the clinics and the activities of the City of Turku's Culture Promotion Department. We are also offering the scheme to other municipalities in Southwest Finland.
Culture belongs to everyone
We want culture to be accessible to everyone. We promote accessibility for example by increasing signage for cultural sites, improving the accessibility of cultural exercise routes and bringing cultural content to residential care facilities online.
We promote the accessibility of culture and the participation of city residents where the need has been identified, such as in the Local Living Rooms and various regional events.
We are creating an operating model for the new use of the city's workshop and handicraft facilities outside their opening hours. The aim is to increase opportunities for cultural activities and regular hobbies, especially in residential areas.
The Mobile Library Tour developed with library services has brought circus, music and stage art to the mobile library stops around the city for two years. Art is also brought to different neighbourhoods in the form of pop-up art and temporary public displays.
A major effort took place in the former premises of the Runosmäki youth centre and library. The facilities hosted the Aikamatka 20360 art installation, whose creation has involved more than 200 Turku residents. Aikamatka 20360 was open to the public until 31 August 2025 and once more during the autumn holiday from 15 to 19 October 2025.
By bringing art and cultural services to the neighbourhoods more diversely, we support not only the well-being of residents but also the vitality of these areas.