Alum Annukka Vähäsöyrinki: “There is a huge need for creative expertise”

What do you do for a living, and why?

“I work as the Executive Director of the Artists’ Association in Finland. The Association is an advocacy organization for professional visual artists working in Finland, representing over 3,000 artists. We promote their status and working conditions, particularly through cultural policy advocacy. I’m motivated by the opportunity to do work that has a tangible impact on artists’ lives and the status of art in society.”

What has your career path been like?

“I originally graduated with a degree in literary studies from the University of Turku and later earned a degree in visual culture studies from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Research in art and culture is therefore the foundation of my career. Early in my career, I held production roles in various cultural fields and also worked in international positions. Among other things, I served as the director of a gallery in Turku and as the program manager at the Finnish Benelux Institute in Brussels. There, I promoted the mobility of cultural professionals and developed collaborative projects between Finland and the Benelux countries.

Later, I worked at the Nordic Cultural Point, which promoted the mobility and collaboration of cultural professionals in the Nordic countries. For the past eight years, I have focused on cultural policy and the social role of the arts. Now, with nearly 20 years of professional experience behind, I have recently expanded my expertise by completing the MBA in Management program at Aalto Executive Education.”

What have been the highlights of your career?

“All of my roles have been about promoting the conditions under which artists work and the status of the arts in the society. The highlights have been, in particular, situations where my own work has had a tangible impact. One of the most significant ones was the introduction of the exhibition fee system in Finland. Thanks to this system, a new appropriation was added to the state budget, enabling museums and other exhibition organizers to pay artists compensation for the work they do in preparation for an exhibition.

This is a significant structural reform that improves artists’ livelihoods and working conditions. The effort took over ten years, and many colleagues had already been working to advance it before my time. It was wonderful to be part of bringing this initiative to fruition together with others.”

What kind of skills do students in the arts need in the working life?

“Graduates in the arts and culture should understand that there is a tremendous need for their skills – especially in a rapidly changing world. We need broad-minded thinking, the ability to see things differently, and creative problem-solving. International forecasts about the future of the working life, such as the World Economic Forum’s report, also emphasize creative skills and thinking.

People in the arts and culture sector may sometimes underestimate their own skills. I would therefore like to encourage students and those entering the workforce to take pride in their skills. Creative thinking and alternative perspectives are needed in a society where economic thinking often takes center stage.

Alongside artistic or research expertise, however, it’s also worth developing practical skills, such as project management and leadership. In the cultural sector, people often end up in leadership roles through their subject-matter expertise, but there is a great need for professional leadership skills, too.”

Should students also take courses in leadership and project management?

“That would be a really smart move. Looking back on my own path, based on what I know now, that’s exactly what I would have done myself. I would have enriched my artistic expertise with an understanding of finance and management, because those are valuable skills in the worklife – though of course it depends on what kind of roles you want to pursue. If you’re interested in leadership, I encourage you to dive into it early on.”

What is the most important lesson you learned during your studies?

“For me, my humanities education is the foundation of everything; it provides a broad-based approach to examining phenomena and solving problems. It provides a strong foundation upon which to build more systematic expertise in areas such as finance or management. I feel that my own ‘wild and free’ way of thinking stems precisely from my studies in art and cultural studies.”

If you were a student now, what advice would you give yourself?

“I’d advise that even while you’re still in school, it’s worth thinking about your future career. In other words, what specific tasks, jobs, and areas of expertise you’ll be moving toward. During your studies, it’s completely understandable to focus on the subject matter you’re studying, but the transition to the worklife happens quite quickly. That’s when you also need to think about how your skills will translate into a livelihood.

It’s worth seizing every opportunity, such as internships, international exchange programs, and mentoring programs, because they help build a practical understanding of the working life. You may not encounter similar opportunities later in your career. They can also open doors to interesting organizations that might be harder to join later as a job seeker. Networking is also important. Finland is a small country, and the cultural sector is very interconnected.”

Did you have experiences like this yourself while you were a student?

“Yes, I did, and I made the most of them. As part of my studies at Aalto ARTS, I worked as an intern at the Magasin III Museum of Contemporary Art in Stockholm, among other things. It was an incredibly eye-opening experience and one of those moments in life when you get to go on an adventure and see new worlds. International experiences are always rewarding.”

What are your plans for the future?

“A values-based approach remains the foundation of all my work. I feel that I’m doing important work in society, and that’s motivating. In the nonprofit sector, we work for the common good, and I consider that a truly valuable foundation. I hope to bring professional leadership practices to the nonprofit sector as well and make my work even more impactful.”