The University of Arts Helsinki has announced in its newsletter on 14 April 2025 that it will limit the opening hours of the campuses. In the one-year trial, the nighttime use of the facilities, that has so far been possible in Mylly, R-building, N-building and the Helsinki Music Centre, would be prohibited completely between 12 AM and 6 AM from 1 August 2025 onwards.
The University of Arts Student Union (TaiYo) Board demands the University take back its decision, since it has not heard the students at all in the matter. The University is stating harmonizing the visiting times of the campuses and facilities, saving money and the students’ wellbeing as reasons for the changes. Referring to students’ wellbeing is at best questionable when students have not been included in the decision making in any way.
The University cannot decide nor dictate for the students when they should work. The combination of classes, independent artistic practice or work and possible employment to fund your living and studies is a demanding equation, one that is not solved by limiting the students’ opportunity to work when they see it best. Limiting the opening hours doesn’t erase the need to work at night. The students rarely have the financial opportunity to rent a workroom. An artist’s work must include the opportunity to self-define one’s work and do things differently.
The University’s premises and their availability are fundamental for reaching the academic goals. Especially in the Academy of Fine Arts and in Sibelius Academy, the students have a strong need to work and practice independently. This has been supported by being able to independently use the premises outside the public opening hours. Tilaresurssit ovat jo valmiiksi riittämättömät opiskelijoiden tarpeisiin, ja esimerkiksi oman instrumentin harjoitteluun vaadittavia tiloja on ollut haastava saada. and it is often challenging to find a practice space for playing your instrument.
The University is offering the chance to apply for a special authorisation for nighttime use. The authorisation must be applied for at least two weeks in advance. The necessity to apply for authorisation to use the premises at night at least two weeks in advance feels like an artificial and bureaucratic limitation to creative work that is often intuitive and spontaneous. The newsletter does not clarify what counts as solid reasoning that is required for receiving a special authorisation. It is also not stated for how long the one-off special authorisation can be applied for at a time. We fear that since the decision has been justified by caring for students’ wellbeing, that diverse needs for longtime nighttime use will not be recognized.
The University of Arts Helsinki mentions harmonising the visiting hours of the facilities as one of the reasons for the change. It is positive that the students of the Theatre Academy may work more flexibly in the future. However, decreasing the opening hours of the facilities in the other two academies, will make the demand concentrate on a smaller amount of hours in a day.
TaiYo agrees on the importance of rest and free time. However, it is not the job of the university to define when resting and recovering must take place. Art does not often fit into office hours. Working late might not be intentional yet it is sometimes still necessary. It is important that when you are working, you may use the premises designed to do that work.