General cultural services

The City of Oulu general cultural services are organised as part of the activities of Cultural Centre Valve.

General cultural services support the cultural activities in Oulu and participate in the production of cultural services for the entire Oulu region – taking into account the different target groups. In addition to Cultural Centre Valve and Oulu Culture Centre for Children and Youth, the general cultural services include the development of urban neighbourhood culture as well as arts and well-being. 

Urban neighbourhood culture

The person responsible for urban neighbourhood culture services at Valve is the executive producer Ari-Matti Lappalainen (link to contact details). 

Support and development

The urban neighbourhood culture facilities provide cultural services and develop opportunities for cultural activities in the different districts of Oulu. Events are organised around the city together with local actors. Networks are created in the city neighbourhoods to organise joint productions and visits and, for example, to spread festivals throughout the city. There is also cooperation with early childhood education and basic education and as part of work with young people and elderly people. 

Arts and well-being

Art and culture not only offer experiences and new perspectives, but also promote health, well-being and inclusion. The mission of arts and well-being services is to increase knowledge of the effects of art and culture on well-being and to develop accessibility of services. 

The person responsible for arts and well-being at Valve is the executive producer Jaana Potkonen (link to contact details). 

Together 

In the area of arts and well-being, Valve cooperates closely with various partners in the sectors of culture and well-being, as well as with social and health services, for example. The operations provide customised services for different customer groups and are involved in bringing art and culture to care homes and social and health care units. This way it is possible to reach target groups that would otherwise find it challenging to participate in cultural activities – either because of physical limitations or economic or social barriers. 

The arts and well-being activities aim at promoting health and well-being. Activites include cultural work with the elderly in addition to inclusive and applied art. Oulu is also part of the national Kaikukortti network.