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Information about artists with foreign background in Finland is available from various sources; however, differences among these sources make it challenging to obtain a comprehensive overview. Cupore’s recent report highlights that the Finnish cultural policy knowledge base, overall, has limited capacity to recognize issues related to population diversity.
The first Diversity Report by the Center for Cultural Policy Research Cupore examines the circumstances of artists with foreign background in Finland and seeks to develop a framework for monitoring this area over time.
The report is based on existing data sources and regular data collections. While many of the reviewed sources do include information on artists with foreign background, there is significant variation in definitions and data collection methods. Consequently, data from different sources often diverge and may even conflict. When using data deriving from multiple sources, it is essential to consider how and for what purpose each dataset was produced.
According to available sources, the number of artists with foreign background in Finland ranges between 700 and 4 000. Cupore’s register-based As an artist in Finland research indicates that artists with foreign background (slightly over 700 individuals) are highly educated and primarily concentrated in the Uusimaa region, especially in Helsinki, even more so than the average artist population. Although the proportion of grant recipients in 2019 was significantly higher among those with foreign background compared to those with Finnish background, their median net income remained considerably lower.
Survey data, particularly the open-ended responses, reveal that artists with foreign background face greater challenges in securing work opportunities and grants in Finland. The responses bring to light issues of exclusion and discrimination based on language, ethnic background, gender, and intersections of these factors. In the arts, access to networks is vital for securing employment and grant opportunities.
The report suggests that the Finnish cultural policy knowledge base does not adequately capture diversity. Furthermore, some commonly used research terms may be problematic upon closer examination, making it necessary to carefully consider their background and implications.
“Population diversity should be reflected in the inclusion of minority backgrounds in research designs and an expansion of research perspectives,” says Senior Researcher Sari Karttunen.
“The issue of origin is often left unaddressed in data collections, and it is also absent from cultural statistics, although it could technically be retrieved from Statistics Finland’s data resources. With the growth of the foreign background population, it is essential that cultural policy researchers address this shortcoming,” Karttunen adds.
The Diversity Report was commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Culture, following a recommendation from the Ministry’s 2021 working group report Cultural Policy, Immigrants, and Promotion of Cultural Diversity, which proposed launching a barometer on diversity and equality. The report implements the Ministry of Education and Culture’s 2023 action program for promoting diversity in the arts and culture sector.
The report is available as a PDF on Cupore’s website:
For more information:
Senior Researcher Sari Karttunen, sari.karttunen@cupore.fi, +358 50 327 1414
Researcher Emmi Lahtinen, emmi.lahtinen@cupore.fi
Read more about Cupore’s research on diversity in the arts and culture sector.
Photo: Daniel Malpica
