KulttuuriKauppila runs an international artist residency, produces the Art Ii Biennial and provides studios for local artists. The centre aims to improve artists’ skills, belongs to international art networks and produces an international art –education programme for schools of Ii. KulttuuriKauppila participates in cultural policy on a practical level and believes that creativity is a key to wellbeing on both the individual and collective levels.
KulttuuriKauppila Artist-in-Residence (KKAiR) offers artists time and space to focus on their artistic practice and research in a close-to-nature facility. Although the artists’ own work and projects are at the core of the programme, the project hopes the KKAiR artists will share their expertise and experience through an event that is produced in collaboration with the KulttuuriKauppila team (a maximum of one event/month). Occasionally the KKAiR artists are also offered the possibility of hosting events such as a masterclass for local artists or workshops at the local high school.
Art Ii Biennial addresses current themes, participates in the public discussion through the methods of art and boldly combines the rich cultural heritage of Ii with contemporary art. The Biennial has hosted dozens of international artists since 2008 in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. A pivotal part of the event is to facilitate interactions between the local community and international art professionals. The main focus of the event is ecological, economical, social and cultural sustainability.
Find more about the project here
