The cornerstone of unity

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FINNISH EXTRACURRICULAR EDUCATION
IN THE ARTS 
– INNOVATOR OF CREATIVITY
Finnish extracurricular education in the arts (including music) is a worldwide unique system. The institutes 
providing it form a network that is indeed remarkable on a global scale. The Finnish state has supported the 
growth of Finnish creativity through extracurricular education in the arts for over 30 years already.
Extracurricular education in the arts is based on Act 633/1998. It consists of goal-oriented training in different 
fields of art primarily for children and adolescents that progresses from one level to the next and that 
simultaneously develops their abilities to express themselves and to apply for vocational or higher education in 
the respective field of art. Extracurricular education in the arts develops the creativity of children and adolescents 
in fields ranging from music to circus art and simultaneously supports the students’ well-being. It is voluntary and 
takes place in music schools, dance schools, handicraft schools, visual arts schools, and other institutes outside 
of the normal comprehensive primary and middle schools. The curricula are based on criteria established by the 
National Board of Education. Extracurricular education in the arts is not a substitute for the art education given to 
all students in the normal comprehensive primary and middle schools, but it gives children and adolescents the 
opportunity to expand their knowledge and improve their skills.
Extracurricular education in the arts is offered in music; literary arts; dance; performance arts, e.g. circus and 
theatre; and visual arts, e.g. architecture, audiovisual art, painting, sculpture, photography, and handicraft. 
Instruction consists of a basic and an advanced syllabus. The goal of extracurricular education in the arts is to 
support creative thinking and activity, provide the foundations for a lifelong hobby, improve sensory and 
emotional sensitivity, as well as support study and interaction skills, develop understanding and interpretation of 

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different cultures, support the growth and development of the students’ self-identity as well as their ability to 
analyse the surrounding reality. 
Funding of extracurricular education in the arts comes from the state, the municipalities, student fees, and in 
the form of the institutes’ own fundraising. In 2017 there were 393 art and music schools in 251 municipalities 
(85% of municipalities) and 126,000 pupils, which is about 15% of all students of comprehensive primary and 
secondary schools. Extracurricular education in the arts employs many many professionals in the arts. Music 
schools alone already have more than 3600 employees.
Thanks to art and music schools, the quality of the arts in Finland has risen to such a level in recent years 
that it now enjoys international recognition. In addition, the role of these schools in promoting well-being and 
health should not be underestimated. Finnish art and music schools have been one of the creative forces that 
have helped Finns achieve progress. Culture is the foundation of society and its most important resource, and it 
only stays alive if children and adolescents are active in the arts. We have to however admit that Finnish culture 
is still young and that it will take many more decades of continual cultural and artistic inspiration in order to 
enable Finns to achieve their potentials as individuals and as creators of innovations that ensure a better future.
Minna Lintonen 
– Member of Parliament 2003–2007