Turku-based artists are in need of more work and exhibition facilities. The City of Turku has addressed this by providing vacant spaces for artist use through its intermediate space model.
In the pilot project launched in 2023, artists and cultural actors have been able to apply to use vacant cultural spaces free of charge for a few months. While the cultural spaces themselves may change, the model is permanent. It provides different parts of Turku and city residents with cultural activities, easily accessible art and cultural facilities as well as stages.
Numerous Turku-based artists have been able to present their art through the pilot, for example in Varissuo, Pansio, Runosmäki, Numme and the Old Kivipaino, Luostarinmäki Museum Quarter, Turku Concert Hall, museum ship Suomen Joutsen and Amiraalistonkatu warehouses. In suburbs and downtown areas, residents have been able to enjoy circuses, gigs, concerts, handicrafts as well as picture, video, performance and stage art.
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Various exhibitions and concerts have been organised in the coarse atmosphere of the old Amiraalistonkatu tram hall, including baroque music concerts, opera, solo gigs and night clubs.
Opera singer Riikka Sirén is part of the Ååbbera group and chamber music association Artsoppa, who applied for and received the hall for two months in autumn 2024. Over the period, Sirén and the groups have organised various 'intermediate use' activities on Amiraalistonkatu, ranging from opera and chamber music to sound art and poetry.
"The intermediate space model is a wonderful idea and a great way to enable freelance activities. I would say that half of our events would not have been possible without the free space."
According to Sirén, one of the challenges is that people can be unaware of the model and how versatile art it can offer.
"But I'm sure that the grapevine will take care of it. Using the facilities requires creativity and the utilisation of different networks, but they are obvious strengths of the freelance field," Sirén sums up.
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Circus artist Kai Kuutamo, on the other hand, has run Pansio Circus at the former start-up workshop of the City of Turku, which has offered circus workshops, circus club activities and shows to residents in the Pansio-Perno-Jyrkkälä area.
"At the same time, we have been able to utilise more than 100 square metres of space for practising and for our own artistic work."
Kuutamo feels that the intermediate space model has plenty of potential. For Pansio Circus, outdoor shows and workshops have attracted the largest crowds. "Some children have also got their first taste of the hobby after participating in our one-month aerial acrobatics camp," Kuutamo rejoices.
TEXT: HEIDI HORILA
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