President of Finland Sauli Niinistö is the patron of the Arctic Arts Summit 2019 to be held in Rovaniemi on 3–5 June. The theme of the summit is The Arctic as a Laboratory for Sustainable Art and Cultural Policy.
The event continues the series of Arctic Arts Summits, which started in 2017 in Harstad, Norway. The main objectives of the Arctic Arts Summit are to strengthen art and culture in the North and underline the role of circumpolar cooperation. Furthermore, the summit aims to stimulate the building of sustainable and continuous collaboration in the arts and creative industries in the Arctic. It is crucial to strengthen the role of art and culture in the viability and the sustainable development of the Arctic and at the same time, make this role more known and understood. The summit brings together representatives of Arctic ministries, art and culture institutions, universities and other educational organisations, and artists from all field of arts.
The art programme of the event includes exhibitions, concerts and performances. It is produced in collaboration with regional art organisations in Lapland and their Arctic partners. Both indigenous and other artists are featured in the programme.
By now, almost 300 people have registered for the event. They include participants from all of the countries that are members of the Arctic Council: Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States. Additionally, some of the participants will arrive from China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Baltic countries. The huge interest in the summit reflects the importance of Arctic discussion today. The registration for the event is still open.
The University of Lapland is the lead organisation for the arrangement of the Arctic Arts Summit 2019, and Professor Timo Jokela is the chair. Maria Huhmarniemi works as the project manager for the event. The Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland, the Arts Promotion Center Finland, Sámi Parliament, the Regional Council of Lapland and the University of the Arctic form the steering group of the summit.
For more information
Arctic Art Summit:
https://www.ulapland.fi/EN/Events/Arctic-Arts-Summit-2019
Timo Jokela, University of Lapland, timo.jokela@ulapland.fi
Tomi Aho, Arts Promotion Centre Finland – Rovaniemi office, tomi.aho@taike.fi.