Finland’s Prime Minister Juha Sipilä’s Government Programme’s Key project for art and culture and Children’s participation Special Goverment Advisor Iina Berden 29 September 2016

”Children and young people will be offered greater opportunities to take an active part in art and cultural pursuit, and to improve their creative skills, cultural competence and capacity for learning." Action plan for the implementation of the key project and reforms defined in the Government Programme

Facilitating children’s access to art and culture: New club activities in schools in 2016-2018

118 000 children (22%) 1 107 schools (46%) 230 towns (73%) Nationwide hearing of school children (7-16 years old) on their interest on culture, art and sports. Participation: 118 000 children (22%) 1 107 schools (46%) 230 towns (73%)

What cultural activities would interest you when organized in school? Main questions: What cultural activities would interest you when organized in school? What kind of sports would you like to take part in school?

What hobbies you have had during your school years? Other questions: What hobbies you have had during your school years? What special wishes you have for art and sport activities? + 14 questions linked to how to organize club activities in schools.

RESULTS

Most interesting fields Parkour, street & show dance 13 % Music 12 % Photography 11 % Movies and animations 9 % Visual arts 8 % Dance 8 % Handicrafts 7 % Circus 6 % Media and video art 6 % Comic strip 5 % History 5 % Theatre 5 % Literature 4 %

Most Children have a wide interest in art, culture and sports: one third of children are interested in all or almost all (17/18) fields of art and culture.

Every school can look at its results. All results available for schools, municipalities, organisations, researchers. Every school can look at its results.

51% would like to have club activities during school day 58% would like to like to have club activities after school day 63% would like to use school premises and equipment for leisure activities (without instructor)

Programme’s key project Access to art and culture will be facilitated will support creating new club activities in schools on basis of children’s interests.

In 2016, 92 projects granted with 1,9 Me involving 31 000 children (390 schools) in art and cultural club activities and thousands of children in art education. Financing for 2017-2018: 5,8 Me

Arts vs. social skills Students who participated in music clubs and arts & handcrafts clubs in the grades 3 - 5 or 4 - 6 for at least 1 year had significantly higher social skills than students who did not participate in them. Music clubs Arts and handcrafts

Arts vs. working skills Students who participated in music clubs and arts & handcrafts clubs in the grades 3 - 5 or 4 - 6 for 2 to 3 year scored better in academic working skills than those who did not participate in them. Music clubs Arts and handcrafts