State subsidies for arts and culture

Parties that maintain museums, theatres and orchestras are granted state subsidies with which to cover the institutions' operating costs. The Government participates in this way in the funding of cultural services and aims to ensure their equal offering and availability. The network of State-subsidised museums, theatres and orchestras covers the entire country.

The State subsidies system is part of the cultural policy management programme. The State subsidies system is computational and based on person-years and their unit price. State subsidies for performing arts and museums are included in the Ministry of Education and Culture's main title of expenditure in the Budget.

A museum or a performing arts unit (theatre, orchestra etc) can be approved for State subsidies on the basis of an application. The conditions for being granted State subsidies are provided in law, and they are granted within the limits set in the general Budget. The ministry may not be able to grant the person-years entitling an institution to State subsidies in full.

The State subsidies system can be supplemented with different development subsidies. 

Contact information

Katri Santtila, kulttuuriasiainneuvos 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Taiteen ja kulttuuriperinnön vastuualue (TAKU) Telephone:0295330285   Email Address:


Päivi Salonen, kulttuuriasiainneuvos 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Taiteen ja kulttuuriperinnön vastuualue (TAKU) Telephone:0295330281   Email Address: