While I do agree with the sentiment of this campaign, I still maintain that a decapitated Snufkin makes perfect sense.
Some people might think, “Why should I support art if I don’t personally consume it?” The answer lies in the broader benefits culture brings to society. Just as education and healthcare are publicly supported to improve general well-being, so too should culture be funded. Art and cultural activities enhance quality of life, foster creativity, and contribute to mental health. They are not luxuries but essential parts of a functioning, thriving society.
It’s also important to remember that culture is a livelihood for thousands of people. Artists, writers, filmmakers, and museum professionals often work for modest pay and, in many cases, alongside a second job to make ends meet. Very few in Finland can sustain themselves solely through their art. Cutting support for culture doesn’t just limit the variety of art available—it directly affects the people behind it.
If you have ever enjoyed a movie produced in Finland, listened to a local musician, visited a museum, read a poetry book, attend a weaving workshop, or played a Finnish video game, it’s worth considering how these were made possible. Many cultural projects have relied on grants or funding at some stage, ensuring they could be developed and shared with audiences.
It’s easy to overlook how much effort and funding goes into creating culture. Without adequate resources, there would be no books, films, dance, or music. In Finland, where the market is small, cultural and artistic projects largely depend on grants. When funding is cut, the variety and availability of culture diminish. Many professionals in the sector already work unpaid, dedicating long hours to projects without compensation. But good intentions only go so far—when money runs out, so does the work. Producing a film or running a museum comes with costs that passion alone cannot cover.
By supporting funding for culture, you’re not only sustaining the arts but investing in a richer, more diverse Finland. If this is important to you, consider signing the petition. It’s a small but meaningful way to ensure the continued growth and vitality of the cultural sector.
So? Where do we get the money?
Do remember that SDP has stated that if they win next elections, they will not roll back almost any of the cuts.
We do spend more than we earn.
While I support the message I’d wish that the campaign used Finnish and Swedish rather than Finnish and English. Kind of ironic to say that you want to support Finnish culture while erasing a huge part of it.
What are these cuts about? Cuts to government spending?
This will get me downvotes.
I personally support having libraries and public spaces, especially if they can also be used for hobbyist groups.
Supporting spare time activities that people can join for minimal costs. Thats somerhing that should always be supported.
But when it comes to supporting individuals to make a living with these or single pieces of art that are always going to be varied on who enjoys it. Is not something I support. The money and resources can be provided should always be aimed at enabling the largest possible amount of people to partake in.
>We demand that the Finnish Government revoke its proposed cuts to the arts and culture and instead ensure their basic funding even in times of crisis!
Why word it like this? Pretty much everything at the moment is seeing cuts, why would arts and culture be any difference? In 2020 we spent over 40million on freelancer artists, so basically paying for someones hobby. Maybe there is some leeway for cuts in this field also.
Time to get some real work then 🤷
Honestly I kinda agree with the cuts here, maybe I am ignorant but I have never even heard of taike, and finnish artists don’t really give me a good impression.
I would be open to signing it if it was solely for libraries and educational centers.
Otherwise-no, I would rather see my taxes go to healthcare and education than supporting someone’s expensive hobbies without any tangible benefits. A venture, which is not able to support itself, is not useful and slapping “that’s art/culture” on it doesn’t make it better. Employment producing nothing of value living on subsidies is not beneficial either. We could employ everyone to such positions and then we would have full employment – and nothing to put on the tables. In times of strife the first things to get cut should be luxuries.
I’m only a tax resident though, not a citizen. Maybe if I was, I would have a different perspective.
Finland’s goverment is running out of money so they just have to cut.
I don’t quite see why art and culture should be saved from cuts if health care and education aren’t.
12 comments
While I do agree with the sentiment of this campaign, I still maintain that a decapitated Snufkin makes perfect sense.
Some people might think, “Why should I support art if I don’t personally consume it?” The answer lies in the broader benefits culture brings to society. Just as education and healthcare are publicly supported to improve general well-being, so too should culture be funded. Art and cultural activities enhance quality of life, foster creativity, and contribute to mental health. They are not luxuries but essential parts of a functioning, thriving society.
It’s also important to remember that culture is a livelihood for thousands of people. Artists, writers, filmmakers, and museum professionals often work for modest pay and, in many cases, alongside a second job to make ends meet. Very few in Finland can sustain themselves solely through their art. Cutting support for culture doesn’t just limit the variety of art available—it directly affects the people behind it.
If you have ever enjoyed a movie produced in Finland, listened to a local musician, visited a museum, read a poetry book, attend a weaving workshop, or played a Finnish video game, it’s worth considering how these were made possible. Many cultural projects have relied on grants or funding at some stage, ensuring they could be developed and shared with audiences.
It’s easy to overlook how much effort and funding goes into creating culture. Without adequate resources, there would be no books, films, dance, or music. In Finland, where the market is small, cultural and artistic projects largely depend on grants. When funding is cut, the variety and availability of culture diminish. Many professionals in the sector already work unpaid, dedicating long hours to projects without compensation. But good intentions only go so far—when money runs out, so does the work. Producing a film or running a museum comes with costs that passion alone cannot cover.
By supporting funding for culture, you’re not only sustaining the arts but investing in a richer, more diverse Finland. If this is important to you, consider signing the petition. It’s a small but meaningful way to ensure the continued growth and vitality of the cultural sector.
So? Where do we get the money?
Do remember that SDP has stated that if they win next elections, they will not roll back almost any of the cuts.
We do spend more than we earn.
While I support the message I’d wish that the campaign used Finnish and Swedish rather than Finnish and English. Kind of ironic to say that you want to support Finnish culture while erasing a huge part of it.
What are these cuts about? Cuts to government spending?
This will get me downvotes.
I personally support having libraries and public spaces, especially if they can also be used for hobbyist groups.
Supporting spare time activities that people can join for minimal costs. Thats somerhing that should always be supported.
But when it comes to supporting individuals to make a living with these or single pieces of art that are always going to be varied on who enjoys it. Is not something I support. The money and resources can be provided should always be aimed at enabling the largest possible amount of people to partake in.
>We demand that the Finnish Government revoke its proposed cuts to the arts and culture and instead ensure their basic funding even in times of crisis!
Why word it like this? Pretty much everything at the moment is seeing cuts, why would arts and culture be any difference? In 2020 we spent over 40million on freelancer artists, so basically paying for someones hobby. Maybe there is some leeway for cuts in this field also.
Time to get some real work then 🤷
Honestly I kinda agree with the cuts here, maybe I am ignorant but I have never even heard of taike, and finnish artists don’t really give me a good impression.
I would be open to signing it if it was solely for libraries and educational centers.
Otherwise-no, I would rather see my taxes go to healthcare and education than supporting someone’s expensive hobbies without any tangible benefits. A venture, which is not able to support itself, is not useful and slapping “that’s art/culture” on it doesn’t make it better. Employment producing nothing of value living on subsidies is not beneficial either. We could employ everyone to such positions and then we would have full employment – and nothing to put on the tables. In times of strife the first things to get cut should be luxuries.
I’m only a tax resident though, not a citizen. Maybe if I was, I would have a different perspective.
Finland’s goverment is running out of money so they just have to cut.
I don’t quite see why art and culture should be saved from cuts if health care and education aren’t.
Comments are closed.