Deadline: 06-Feb-2026
The Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Art Together special purpose grants support inclusive art projects that promote social inclusion, well-being, and meaningful participation for vulnerable and underrepresented communities. The program funds ethically sustainable, dialogic collaborations where artists and participants co-create art on equal terms.
Overview
The Art Together special purpose grants invite artists to design and deliver collaborative art projects that strengthen social inclusion, cultural equality, and well-being. The funding prioritizes participatory, ethical, and dialogic practices that amplify the voices of people in vulnerable or underrepresented contexts.
What Are Art Together Grants?
Art Together grants are targeted funds for projects that use art as a tool for empowerment and participation. Supported projects emphasize co-creation, shared authorship, and mutual respect between artists and participant groups.
Key Focus Areas
Social Inclusion and Well-Being
Projects should enhance participation and well-being among:
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Minorities and underrepresented groups
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Individuals needing special support or care
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People living in socially vulnerable contexts
Ethical and Dialogic Art Practices
Funded projects must demonstrate:
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Dialogic cooperation between artists and participants
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Equal footing in artistic decision-making
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Processes shaped by participants’ self-identified needs
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Respect for cultural rights and ethical engagement
Eligible Art Forms and Settings
Projects may:
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Combine multiple art forms and interdisciplinary approaches
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Take place in local cultural spaces, care communities, or special group settings
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Integrate expertise from well-being, social care, or community development fields
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible Applicants
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Individual artists from all artistic disciplines
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Working groups of artists and professionals
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Professional, registered arts organizations, including associations
Eligibility Requirements
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Projects must ensure inclusive artistic processes
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Participants must be active contributors, not passive recipients
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The artistic approach must be ethically sustainable and participatory
How the Program Works
Project Design Principles
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Identify a participant group and co-define needs and goals
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Design an inclusive, dialogic artistic process
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Ensure equal participation and shared authorship
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Implement the project in a suitable community or care setting
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Reflect participants’ voices and experiences in outcomes
What the Funding Supports
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Collaborative artistic processes
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Community-based engagement and participation
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Interdisciplinary approaches linked to well-being and inclusion
Why This Funding Matters
Art Together grants position art as a vehicle for social empowerment. By centering participant voices and shared creation, the program strengthens cultural participation, promotes equality, and builds meaningful community connections through art.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Treating participants as audiences rather than co-creators
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Designing projects without participant input
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Lacking ethical safeguards or dialogic methods
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Prioritizing artistic output over inclusive process
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main goal of the Art Together grants?
To promote social inclusion, well-being, and participation through collaborative art.
2. Who can participate in funded projects?
People from vulnerable or underrepresented communities identified by the project.
3. Are all art forms eligible?
Yes, artists from all artistic fields may apply.
4. Can organizations apply?
Yes, professional and registered arts organizations, such as associations, are eligible.
5. Do participants need to be artists?
No, participants are community members who co-create and co-experience the art.
6. What makes a project ethically sustainable?
Equal participation, dialogic cooperation, respect, and participant-led needs.
7. Where can projects take place?
In cultural venues, care communities, or settings relevant to the participant group.
Conclusion
The Art Together grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation support inclusive, participant-driven art that advances social equality and well-being. By funding ethical, dialogic collaboration, the program empowers artists and communities to create art that reflects lived experiences and builds lasting social impact.
For more information, visit Finnish Cultural Foundation.
