ARTS LAB at the Finnish Institute

ARTS LAB is founded on a shared set of values developed by the Baltic Sea Festival, Voksenåsen and Creative Dialogue. Together, the organisations share a long-term commitment to artistic development, international exchange and in-depth creative processes, with a particular focus on enabling young artists to work experimentally, attentively and across disciplinary boundaries.

During an intensive workshop residency, emerging musicians explore their artistry through both technical and creative challenges. Through dialogue, trust and a spirit of experimentation, new forms of expression emerge and artistic craft is deepened under the guidance of Finnish cellist Anssi Karttunen and Norwegian composer Rolf Wallin. ARTS LAB offers a rare opportunity to experience these artistic voices as they take shape.

Creative Dialogue was founded in 2007 by Anssi Karttunen, Kaija Saariaho and Magnus Lindberg with the ambition of creating a unique meeting place where younger generations of musicians and composers can learn from one another. Built on improvisation, communication and mentorship, the platform brings together young instrumentalists and composers who inspire each other across artistic disciplines. Participants are nominated by teachers and mentors from around the world.

Voksenåsen’s Talent Programme offers young musicians a year of tailored artistic development through mentorship, workshops and performances. The programme provides both practical tools and professional networks to support a sustainable long-term career in classical music. The artistic leadership team consists of Peter Herresthal, Randi Stene and Andreas Sundén.

This year’s concert once again takes place at the The Finnish Institute and presents the outcomes of the ARTS LAB collaboration. Works by the young composers for string quartet and kantele, developed and refined throughout the week, are performed here in their final form. In addition, all participants – instrumentalists and composers alike – have taken part in improvisation workshops and come together in a collective ensemble improvisation that concludes the project.

The project is supported by the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland.

About the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland