Färi’s wish and goal is to make Turku a city of children’s culture, where Finland’s happiest children can grow up.

Children’s culture for the next generation

At the Children’s Culture Centre Färi, high-quality art and children’s own creativity come together. Children can try things out, express themselves and create on their own with a low threshold.

They develop practical skills, creativity and courage, experience the joy of success, and also learn to cope with setbacks.

At Färi, children grow into active makers of culture. Their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem are strengthened, their participation and social skills grow, and their wellbeing increases. 

Marika Leinonen-Vainio 
Executive Director

Through the impact of next-generation children’s culture, Finland’s happiest children can grow up in Turku.

A home for children’s creative expression

Children’s ideas, imagination and creative work are visible in Färi’s exhibitions, performances and workshops. The activities are continuous, and the regular programmes create pathways to art and culture for children and families.

Our activities cover a wide range of art forms and also offer opportunities for longer-term hobbies.

At Färi, every child is an artist and equally welcome to take part just as they are.

Our values

  1. 1
    Child-centred approach

    Children are encouraged to do things in their own way, whether it is art or play.

  2. 2
    Experiences

    We offer wonderful and exciting experiences, where imagination comes to life and children can learn something new.

  3. 3
    Quality

    We always work with care and professionalism.

  4. 4
    Interaction

    We listen closely to the children’s thoughts and opinions.

  5. 5
    Inclusion

    We encourage children to take part in activities and to create things together.

  6. 6
    Professionalism

    We work professionally, taking children’s needs and stages of development into account.

  7. 7
    Responsibility

    We care about the environment and want to keep the planet a good place for everyone.

  8. 8
    Equality

    Here, every child can take part regardless of their background or need for support.

We speak up for children

We are a voice and advocate for children’s culture: we make the impact of children’s culture visible and bring children’s perspectives into Turku’s cultural policy.

Turku’s future depends on the wellbeing, self-confidence and motivation of children and young people. Everyone has the right to a safe everyday life in which physical, mental and social wellbeing are realised. School, leisure time and family support create the foundation for a good life for every child.

Vision for the year 2030

Every child and young person in Turku should have the opportunity to encounter art, participate in culture, and create themselves in everyday life, at school, and in their free time.

Cooperation and networks

The Children’s Culture Centre Färi works in broad and cross-sectoral cooperation with artists, associations and a variety of project partners. We are also part of the national network of children’s culture centres and committed to high-quality work in children’s culture.

Together with our partners, we organise hobby activities, art workshops for different target groups, and a high-quality and diverse programme of performances. We also actively contribute to the development of new performances for children, for example by offering residency spaces for artists and by supporting the annual new ITU children’s theatre production.

At Färi, we believe in the power of art, in cooperation and in co-creation – every child has the right to experiences, creativity and the wellbeing that art can bring.

Get to know our partners

Accessible art hobby activities

We want to ensure that art and culture are accessible to every child. Together with different partners, we offer equal cultural experiences especially for children who would otherwise not have the opportunity to take part in art and hobby activities.

WAM Turku City Art Museum and Färi jointly provide a free art hobby activity for children. In the activity, children can try and experience art in their own way in a safe and encouraging environment. The art hobby is organised together with the outreach hobby activities of the Turku Model for Hobby Activities. Children are referred to the activity through Varha’s social work services for families with children and through a specialist family worker in family services.

Art in different learning environments

We also provide art content for VALO pupils in preparatory education for basic education, as well as for pupils at Kiinanmyllyn koulu, which provides teaching for children receiving specialised medical care. In addition, we produce content for the Experience Path, which offers inspiring art and culture content for schoolchildren, and for the Little People’s Art Path, which brings art naturally into everyday early childhood education and care.

City of Turku's Experience Path

In Finnish.

City of Turku's Little People's Art Path

In Finnish.

Interested in cooperating? Contact us!

Marika Leinonen-Vainio Executive Director 040 6687067