Helsinki residents were given the opportunity to propose the 2024 Cultural Act between 29 October and 10 November 2024. We received 291 nominations, which proposed a total of 70 different acts. The 2024 Helsinki Cultural Act award of €5,000 has been awarded to Heidi Hänninen in recognition of her praiseworthy work in KAS! Kontula Art School. The awarding ceremony took place on 17 January at the Kontula Library. The final decision on the winner was made by the Culture and Library Sub-Committee of the City of Helsinki’s Culture and Leisure Committee.
Founded by community artist Heidi Hänninen, KAS! Kontula Art School offers free low-threshold street art activities for young people and adults, and the murals and street art they have created have enlivened the public spaces of Kontula and its surroundings and strengthened the distinctive identity of the area. In its award criteria, the Culture and Library Sub-Committee considers the project to be a model of how a grassroots project can change entire neighbourhoods in a positive direction by creating a more attractive environment and even by increasing people’s sense of security in the area.
KAS! Kontula Art School’s activities are based on the idea that every individual – including those in difficult life situations due to substance abuse or mental health problems – is welcome to engage in the goal-oriented and collaborative art activities. The project’s way of supporting the inclusion of children and young people was considered particularly valuable.
“Community art offers all city residents the opportunity to participate and make their voice heard. KAS! Kontula Art School creates spaces where different people can meet each other and share their experiences through creative activities. The street art school’s participatory approach promotes a sense of community, strengthens the well-being of city residents and supports the appreciation of diversity. KAS! Kontula Art School has opened doors to new opportunities and built bridges between different life stories and perspectives,” describes Partnership Manager Ulla Bergström from the City of Helsinki.
According to the comments received from city residents, the activities of Kontula Art School are of particular importance to its participants, and its outputs make the urban space “nicer for everyone”.
The Culture and Library Sub-Committee of the City of Helsinki’s Culture and Leisure Committee grants an annual Cultural Act award for a significant or new kind of Cultural Act or project, the effects of which are targeted at Helsinki or its residents. A Cultural Act changes or challenges existing cityscapes or ways to be, or makes you see things in a new light. A Cultural Act, whether large or small, is an indication of courage for creating something new and different. The City of Helsinki has granted Cultural Act awards since 2009.
