New Report: The Art Testers Programme Has Wide-Ranging Impacts on Society

A new report commissioned by the Suomen Kulttuurirahasto and Svenska kulturfonden examines the impact and future options of the Art Testers cultural education programme. The findings show that the programme strengthens schools, the arts sector and young people’s participation in society. While Art Testers reaches an entire age group every year, its continuation requires a long-term funding solution.

Since 2017, the Art Testers programme has provided young people with high-quality artistic experiences. Each school year, the programme reaches all Year 8 pupils in Finland – around 65,000 young people and 5,000 teachers in every municipality.

The programme was launched on the initiative of the Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, with Svenska kulturfonden supporting it from the outset with a five per cent funding share. It is produced by the Association of Finnish Children’s Cultural Centres. Between 2020 and 2024, the state contributed to the programme’s funding, but at present financing rests entirely with the two foundations, which have committed to continuing support until summer 2027.

“Art Testers has been a historically significant investment for the Suomen Kulttuurirahasto,” says the foundation’s Chief Executive, Susanna Pettersson. Together, the two foundations have invested around €43 million in young people’s art experiences. The programme’s annual budget currently amounts to around €6.7 million.

“Originally planned as a three-year initiative, the programme has now run for nine years. During this time, Art Testers has developed into an impactful and cost-effective model that reaches 100 per cent of an age group. It is an exceptionally successful concept, ensuring access to art and culture regardless of where young people live or go to school,” Pettersson continues.

The evaluation, carried out by MDI Public, highlights the impact of the programme and outlines future options. It stresses that the continuation and development of Art Testers requires stable funding. If state funding were secured, possible models could include a dedicated grant or inclusion of costs within the state subsidy system. In a multi-source model, the state would be one of several funders alongside other sectors.

Art Testers Builds Inclusion and Cultural Equality

The programme has proved important not only for young people experiencing the arts but also for many other stakeholders. Schools have developed their arts and culture teaching, and cultural institutions have learned to better understand future audiences. As travel is part of each art visit, the programme has also had a positive effect on travel organisers and transport providers.

“It is extremely valuable that Art Testers is delivered in the same way across the whole country. Year 8 pupils gain new artistic experiences while also discovering different environments and cultural landscapes. But the programme is at least as important for artists and cultural organisations. Artists meet audiences they would otherwise rarely encounter, and institutions learn how to work with a new target group,” says Sören Lillkung, Chief Executive of Svenska kulturfonden. He also welcomes the fact that Art Testers has paved the way for deeper collaboration between the two foundations.

According to MDI Public’s report, Art Testers is not only a cultural education programme but also a tool for democracy and civic education. It nurtures new audiences for art and culture, develops young people’s ability to give feedback, strengthens participation and fosters confidence in the future.

The report notes that the programme, in its current form, also fulfils the main objectives of Finland’s 2024 Cultural Policy Report: safeguarding cultural rights, strengthening regional and social equality, and improving access to arts and cultural education. Its impact is nationwide and equitable.

Exploring Impacts and Future Models

The evaluation by MDI Public analyses how the Art Testers programme responds to societal needs, the methods and indicators by which its outcomes can be assessed, and the effects it has had on different stakeholders. It also outlines possible models for future implementation from the perspectives of cost and impact. The study draws on extensive documentation, stakeholder interviews, quantitative data, school visit dialogues with young people and an expert workshop.The full report is available on the Suomen Kulttuurirahasto website.