The participants for FAA’s SHIFT mentoring programme have been selected

The application period for Finnish Art Agency’s mentoring programme has now ended. There were several applications all around Finland but also from abroad. Ten interesting and current artists were chosen to be part of the SHIFT mentoring programme.

The quality of the applicants was really high and part of them have been working as artists for long time already. For example, painters Erika Adamsson, Hanna Kanto and Kristiina Uusitalo, photographer Mia Damberg and graphic artist Tiina Kivinen are well known for wide audience for their several solo and group exhibitions. There were also new, emerging artists, of whom some are just starting their careers. Photographers Santeri Sarkola and Julia Weckman, visual artists Elina Aho, Anna Columbine (UK) and painter Kaija Hinkula represent the younger artists of this group.

Finnish Art Agency was looking for professional visual artists who are motivated to push their career forward and set concrete goals for their actions. SHIFT mentoring programme provides tailored support for developing artist’s careers, for example by helping and planning the organising of exhibitions, setting long-term goals and creating international contacts.

Finnish Art Agency SHIFT seminar, with international art professionals, is happening in October (29.–30.10-2015). The guest speakers will tell about their experiences of good art practices and open up their own practice through several examples.

Photos: Mia Damberg: Empty Rooms III, 2013, diasec, 150x100cm; Julia Weckman: Mental Traveler, 2012, pigment print, fotosec, 124x100cm; Erika Adamsson: Kultainen nuoruus, 2014, oil on acryl, 152x103cm (photo by Vesa Aaltonen); Kaija Hinkula: Journey: The Forest, 2015, 200x240cm