You can apply for a grant for regular or project-based cultural activities annually in October.

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The City of Turku Cultural  Committee awards cultural grants and subsidies for individual work, as well as for the activities of associations and working groups.

The committee decides on the operating grants for the partners with an agreement and the recipients of the Aboa annual grant in December of the application year. The committee makes decisions on other grants in February of the funding year. The city informs all applicants of the decisions.

Applying for cultural grants

Who can apply for a grant?

The following can apply for grants:

  • Non-profit associations, foundations, or non-profit organisations based or operating in Turku  
  • Working groups based or operating in Turku
  • Private persons based in Turku 

When to apply for a grant?

You can apply for all cultural grants annually, from 1 October to 31 October. 

What can the grant be used for?

You can apply for a grant to produce artistic content on a regular basis or for a specific project.

  • Organising cultural activities
  • Project-based activities
  • Developing cultural activities
  • Organising basic education in the arts
  • Organising recreational activities
  • Personal grants for artists
  • Aboa Grants for artists

Grants for regular activities

Operating grants for art and cultural institutions

The operators who have signed an agreement include professional artists’ associations and cultural institutions that have established themselves as key players in the city’s cultural production sector. They support professionals in finding employment and increase the visibility of their work.  

In addition to artistic quality and experience, the assessment criteria include the long-term development of activities, continuity, collaboration with other actors, and the scope of other funding. Those who have signed an agreement also include operators that develop and promote education and internationalisation of the sector.

The city drafts agreements that last for three years, and no new agreements are finalised while the existing ones are active. The current period is 2022–2024.  

The city will begin negotiations for the next agreement in the spring of 2025. At that time, it will also accept applications from new parties interested in signing an agreement.

Operating grants for cultural and art communities

The grant is intended for associations and working groups that do not receive operating grants from cultural or art institutions. 

We assess the applications based on the applicant’s experience and the recognition they have earned for their artistic work. The main goal is to support the work of professionals.

The grant supports the production of artistic content, but you can also include costs related to premises in your application.

Grants for recreational activities in the cultural sector 

The grant is intended for recreational associations and working groups involved in artistic and cultural work, organising year-round events open to the public in Turku. The grant is not intended for district associations representing specific areas of the city.

We assess the applications based on their potential to improve residents’ well-being, the number of people and participants involved, and the quality of the activities.  

The grant supports the production of artistic content, but you can also include costs related to premises in your application.

Grants for basic art education 

Grants for basic education in the arts are intended for operators who have signed an agreement and whose curriculum has been approved by the Cultural Committee.

Grants for project-based activities

Project grant

The grant is intended for artist groups in Turku for the purpose of implementing new and innovative projects, as well as for new actors starting their operations, and existing actors experimenting with or developing new ways of operating.

This is a one-off grant mainly intended for groups of professionals.

In their application, applicants must demonstrate how they plan to manage the activities and associated funding after the development grant is awarded.

In addition to artistic quality, we assess the applications based on innovativeness, contributions to enhancing the city’s attractiveness, project versatility, collaboration with other parties, and the number of partners involved. As a general rule, the city does not provide project grants to associations or artists who are already receiving a grant from another category.

The grant is intended solely for the production of artistic content. The project grant is not intended for financing the operator’s general activities. We do not provide grants for the purchase of equipment.

The project must produce an artistic output for the City of Turku or create new models for the provision of cultural services.

 The Cultural Committee may, at its discretion, commit to funding a development project for several years. In such cases, a cooperation agreement will be concluded.

Individual grants

Individual grants for artists

Individual grants are intended for professional artists based in Turku, regardless of their field of art.

The principles guiding the grant allocation are professionalism, artistic foundations, and a proven track record of previous artistic work. We do not award grants to the same artist twice in a row or to individuals with an annual or multi-annual government grant.

The grant is intended solely for the production of artistic content. 

Aboa Grant – a one-year working grant for professional artists

We award the Aboa Grant, a one-year working grant, annually to a professional artist based in Turku. The selected artists represent various artistic disciplines.

The grant amount varies annually, depending on confirmation from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland. In 2025, the amount of the Aboa Grant is EUR 26,269.46.  

We assess the applications based on their artistic quality, merit, and the potential to enhance the city’s attractiveness. If feasible, the grant includes the opportunity to present an artistic output at the City of Turku’s art institutions. Alternatively, the results of the work process may be incorporated as a visible part of the City of Turku’s cultural offerings in other ways.

Apply for a grant

Fill in the application form online

Fill in the electronic application form: Grant application service (in Finnish or Swedish).  

We recommend using the Mozilla or Chrome browser. The form requires identification.

Information for recipients of cultural grants

Were you or your group awarded a grant? See instructions for grant recipients.

Previously awarded grants

The Cultural Committee awards cultural grants annually, between December and February.

More information

Niina Niemi-Nagy Head of Division 040 6301658
Liisa Muttelinmäki culture coordinator 044 9075188