In its attempt to "turn the tide of debt", the government of Petteri Orpo is making shocking cuts to Finnish culture. These cuts will hit freelancers, small art groups and especially cultural centres in the provinces the hardest. Students of art and culture are in a particularly unfortunate situation under these cuts, as many will face uncertainty about their livelihoods, and a difficult choice between concentrating on their studies and earning extra income. It is undeniably unmotivating to be a first-year Master's student and to make plans for the future with a constant 'maybe' caveat, when the possibility of making a living is crumbling from all sides.
Taideyliopisto on ainoa taideaineisiin keskittyvä yliopisto ja sen ylioppilaskunta edustaa kaikkien taideopiskelijoiden etua. Siksi on elintärkeää, että me kaikki taistelisimme yhteisen hyvän puolesta. Sen lisäksi, että taide- ja kulttuuriala on merkittävä työllistäjä, sen tarjoamaa sisältöä ei voi korvata millään. Tuntuu nurinkuriselta, että juuri suomalaisen taiteen ollessa kasvussa ja muidenkin maiden kiinnostuksen kohteena, sitä leikataan näin lyhytnäköisesti. On selvää, että taloudellisesti haasteellisessa tilanteessa myös kulttuurialan on osallistuttava säästötoimiin, mutta tuen ollessa jo ennestään pieni ja joutuen prosentuaalisesti isoimpien saksien väliin, on tilanne epäreilu.
I would like to believe that challenging times would be the beginning of a new time and rebuilding of systems, but does it always have to be through misery? This is not just about artists and it would be good for us all to wake up to see the perspective of the viewers. The reason for these cuts goes deeper than the current government. Why do Finns feel that art is so distant from themselves? I have read several comments in the comments section of Helsingin Sanomat about how many people feel that they don’t consume culture in their everyday lives. How can it be that people are so distanced from their own domestic culture that they don’t think that TV series, films, books, radio, music, furniture or entertainment programmes are part of it. No one can avoid these cuts. They affect each and every one of us, at least indirectly. What worries me most are the provinces, where the few cultural institutions and groups that exist are now under threat. Do we want to have to travel to the big cities to experience live art?
Making art is a job that deserves to be appreciated, just like anything else. The disappearance of state funding also means that opportunities to make art are narrowing and the few positions are going to those who are already privileged by family, town of residence or socio-economic status. This in itself also leads to the stories we tell becoming one-sided and we lose the connection between the stage and the audience. Art is from the people straight back to the people and would be a shame to lose it.
There is strength in numbers and that is why I want to appeal to you, my fellow students:
Allekirjoittajaa Sakset seis! – suuri kulttuuriadressi ja tulkaa mukaan torstaina 5.12. klo. 14:00 Kansalaistorille näyttämään koko Suomelle ja erityisesti hallitukselle, että näitä leikkauksia ei sulateta helpolla!
Elli Kujansuu
Master student in lighting design
Theatre Academy