Product and service development in arts and culture

Funding for arts and culture, granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Arts Promotion Centre, forms the foundation for product and service development in arts and culture. Funding is also available for the development of business activities at the initial stages.

The main purpose of the funding for arts and culture is to support the production of artistic contents. For example, the Arts Promotion Centre grants state artist grants and other grants and awards to artists and artistic communities. Funding may also be granted by other parties, such as foundations.

The product and service development may also aim to pursue commercial goals, not only to produce artistic contents. From the perspective of commercial activities, it is essential to take account of the needs of customers, for example users of arts and cultural services, the replicability of the products and services, and their commercial distribution.

Funding for the development of ideas into concepts, pilot projects, prototypes and demos is granted from the national lottery proceeds of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Promotion Centre for Audiovisual Culture AVEK grants funding in the form of DigiDemo, CreaDemo and CreMA subsidies. The aim of the subsidies is to bring about new product development, product innovations and service innovations. CreMA funding is granted for product and service development projects promoting the transfer of expertise from creative industries to other industries and vice versa. Furthermore, AVEK organises annually a pitching competition called LIFT Pitch, where innovative product and service ideas in the creative industries are rewarded.

Funding for commercial activities within creative economy, especially for growth-seeking ones, is granted through the centres for economic development, transport and the environment and Tekes.

Contact information

Kirsi Kaunisharju, kulttuuriasiainneuvos 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Strategic Steering Division Telephone:0295330144   Email Address: