6TH ELIA LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM HELSINKI NOVEMBER 2013

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1 INTRODUCTION UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS HELSINKI CITY OF HELSINKI THEMES PROGRAMME MOBILE WORKSHOPS PARTICIPATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6TH ELIA LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM HELSINKI NOVEMBER 2013

2 2 INTRODUCTION The steering group is pleased to present the programme of the 6TH ELIA Leadership Symposium E/Merge. After Vancouver, Zurich, Los Angeles, London and Hong Kong, we look forward to welcoming you to Helsinki! Hosted by the University of the Arts Helsinki, E/Merge brings together leaders from higher arts education institutions and universities across the globe for an important and timely discussion on higher arts education today. New economies arise, powers shift and cultural hegemonies are being challenged. The world has become a complex system. Old configurations disband and new ones emerge. Soft power has become a buzzword, building on the arts and the creative industries and competing for the hearts and minds of people. What the French call métissage stands for today s new cultural paradigm, the interweavement of influences, the merging of ideas and meanings. What is local becomes global and it is in turn being transformed by this process. A new set of players with distinct intentions and values has stepped onto the stage. When we have only just begun to understand what is going on around us, forms and contents are already changing. The new scale of globalised culture has led to far-reaching changes in organisational structures such as numerous mergers of art schools across Europe. Size seems to matter more than ever. Internationalisation has become a must, either at home, by forming strategic alliances and cooperations or by branching out. How can higher art education institutions prepare for new and global challenges? How can its leadership remain active and creative facing developments of a postcolonial world gone fragile? / Old configurations disband and new ones emerge /

3 3 UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS HELSINKI The Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy and Theatre Academy Helsinki merged at the beginning of 2013 into an arts university, in English called the University of the Arts Helsinki (Taideyliopisto in Finnish). The University of the Arts Helsinki fosters our art heritage and educates artists whose work provides society with life force and new perspectives and ways of thinking, encouraging people to ask questions. The University of the Arts Helsinki brings the arts to the very core of society. The University consists of three academies that have equal educational contents and cultural weight. The staff and the students of the existing universities were transferred to the University of the Arts Helsinki. There are a total of approximately 2,100 students and the full-time equivalent of personnel is FINNISH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY THEATRE ACADEMY HELSINKI

4 4 CITY OF HELSINKI Helsinki is unique among Northern European cities. The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities in the form of hundreds of events and friendly people. Helsinki s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. / A CITY IN WHICH MANY DIFFERING VIEWS CAN INTERACT IN A CONSTRUCTIVE ATMOSPHERE / History of Helsinki in a nutshell Sweden s King Gustavus Vasa founded Helsinki on the mouth of Vantaanjoki River in 1550 to compete with Tallinn for Baltic Sea trade. The town grew slowly however, and the centre of Helsinki was moved to its current location in the 1600s. In 1748 Sweden began construction of the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress off the coast of Helsinki to counter the growing threat from Russia. The massive project brought additional wealth, inhabitants and merchants to the town. Russia conquered Finland in The status of Helsinki was raised to capital of the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland three years later. A monumental Empire-style city plan was drawn up to reflect the power of Russia and the Tsar. Finland became independent in 1917, and Helsinki assumed the demanding new role of capital of the young republic. City planning was characterised by Classicism and Functionalism. Recovering from the hardships of war, Helsinki hosted the Summer Olympics in The games created an international reputation for Helsinki as an efficient and friendly host city. Helsinki is recognised as a city in which many differing views can interact in a constructive atmosphere. Helsinki was one of nine European Cities of Culture in Helsinki received additional international cultural visibility when it successfully hosted the Euro vision Song Contest in Couple of years later Helsinki was chosen as World Design Capital for the year 2012.

5 5 THEMES The 6TH ELIA Leadership Symposium E/MERGE will address the following themes Trading Places Current models of what globalisation means for Higher Education are outdated and need to be revised. Recent variations on the theme of education, mobility and recruitment as a form of commodity exchange with the Old World as the main beneficiary are no longer relevant. The changed landscape of the 21st century must lead to a rethinking of the old relationship with a new emphasis on partnership and exchange in an intercultural world. Not Here How is art education thought about, organized and led in different parts of the world? What are the productive potentials for encounter that educators and facilitators of art and design have in a world controlled by high-speed technologies and economies? Are we still able to learn from each other? And further: How should we think about the local today? Has it become a part of the merged centre, or has it vanished into the margin? Impact factor is the global mantra of the scientific community and its peer-reviewed publications. The impact of the arts on today s increasingly globalised world seems generally accepted in the rhetoric of governments and administration. Actual policies however still reflect the basic assumptions, that absolute priority must be given to both economy and science, one presumably feeding the world, the other explaining and advancing it. What would be the global mantra of an artistic community that claims equal importance of the arts for the further development of societies and cultures? How could this claim be substantiated and supported?

6 6 PROGRAMME (1/2) It is recommended that delegates arrive in Helsinki either Tuesday 26 November or Wednesday 27 November early morning. The Symposium programme runs from Wednesday 27 November noon time to Friday 29 November late afternoon, featuring dynamic keynote addresses, roundtable discussion and mobile workshops. Information about the integrated cultural programme will be published shortly on the website. Tours of the Tölö and Sörnäinen campus of University of the Arts Helsinki and other optional activities will be organized for Wednesday morning and Friday evening. Delegates will be assisted in reserving additional cultural activities before or after the Symposium (on Tuesday 26 November and/or Saturday 30 November).

7 7 PROGRAMME (2/2) Programme in short Wednesday 27 November lunch, afternoon session, dinner reception Thursday 28 November morning sessions, lunch, afternoon mobile workshops, dinner Friday 29 November morning sessions, lunch, closing session E/MERGE will include keynotes delivered by senior cultural practitioners. Each of these keynotes will frame the discussions and presentations during the conference. Confirmed Speakers Mike van Graan Terike Haapoja Jun Jiang Frédéric Martel Viktor Misiano Samuel West Jin Xing Theater Director, Executive Director of the African Arts Institute, South Africa Visual Artist, Finland Editor-in-chief of Urban China Magazine, Founder of Underline Office, China Writer, Researcher and Journalist, France Curator, Russia Actor and Director, United Kingdom Dancer, Choreographer and Actress, China MAIN VENUE: Helsinki Congress Paasitorni The ruggedly beautiful granite fortress in Siltasaari, now the Paasitorni conference and congress centre, was designed by architect Karl Lindahl, and opened as the Helsinki Workers House, providing leisure activities, entertainment and education for the workers of Helsinki, in The building has been tastefully restored to its former glory, respecting its historic past yet meeting all the demands made of a modern conference centre. The oldest part of the Paasitorni building, completed in 1908, is late Art Nouveau in style. The building s facade, main staircase and the Congress Hall are expertly decorated with images of tools and symbols depicting various occupations to highlight the skill of the craftsman. Geometric shapes and abstract ornamentation, including designs drawn from nature, create a clear, timeless impression combined with warm, harmonious colours. Other speakers to be confirmed; more information is available on the event website.

8 8 MOBILE WORKSHOPS Helsinki is well-known for its rich architecture ranging from the 18TH century up to the present. The University of the Arts Helsinki offers participants of the Elia Leadership Symposium an opportunity to engage in mobile workshops on the architecture in the Capital of Finland. Six different three-hour excursions in small groups will be led by professionals to different parts of the Helsinki metropolitan area. These visits of architectural monuments will provide delegates with inside information on these unique places and interesting historical anecdotes. More information about these tours will be shortly published on the event website. / inside information on these unique places /

9 9 PARTICIPATION (1/2) To ensure an optimal level of interaction, representation, focus and collegiality, participation will be limited to leaders and key decision makers. Delegates will be senior figures from a diverse but representative set of arts and design institutions throughout the world. Collectively, delegates will demonstrate: a range of professional, cultural and institutional backgrounds active engagement in key issues and debates affecting higher arts education and cultural management a willingness to contribute to and lead debates, share experience and practices, and carry forward initiatives that emerge from the Symposium To create an intimate and professional frame for discussion the Leadership Symposium is limited to a maximum of 100 delegates on a first come, first served basis. / CONTRIBUTE, SHARE, CARRY FORWARD /

10 10 PARTICIPATION (2/2) Registration Delegates may register online by accessing the ELIA Leadership Symposium website Applicants are asked to provide: photograph (that will be used exclusively for the event) short biography (250 words max.) statement of expectations and/or recommendations for the Leadership Symposium With an eye to oversubscription, applicants are encouraged to submit their forms as early as possible. The organisers will seek to create an overall balanced representation of delegates based on the profiles submitted. Language The Leadership Symposium will be conducted in English. Deadline The deadline for early-bird registrations is 31 August The deadline for online registration is 10 November Fees Early-birds fee 850 ELIA members 950 Non-members 1850 Accompanying person fee 250 The registration fee includes access to all Symposium sessions, materials, publications, related events, three lunches and two dinners. For partners travelling with delegates, the accompanying person fee includes attendances to two dinners, the mobile workshops and other social events. Logistics Rooms are booked at three hotels, in the conference centre or at walking distance from the venue. For detailed information on hotel options please see the event website ( The international Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is situated at a distance of 18 kilometres from the main venues and hotels. Approx. 55 airlines operating; good connections to Europe, Asia and Northern America flights to 130 destinations in total are operated from Helsinki. See For more information you can contact ELIA Conference Manager, Barbara Revelli barbara.revelli@elia-artschools.org

11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ELIA, The European League of Institutes of the Arts is the primary independent network organisation for higher arts education.

11 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ELIA, The European League of Institutes of the Arts is the primary independent network organisation for higher arts education. With over 300 members in 47 countries, ELIA promotes dialogue, mobility, research and the sharing of best practice and activities between artists, teachers, administrators and leaders, all of whom together represent more than 300,000 art students. ELIA represents and promotes the importance of the arts and higher arts education and is internationally recognised as an influential body. ELIA is supported, among others, by its members and by the European Commission with an Operating Grant for Organisations active at European level in the field of Culture. For more information please go to Steering Group Annette Arlander University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy Helsinki, Finland Kieran Corcoran ELIA President, Dublin Institute of Technology, School of Art, Design and Printing Carla Delfos ELIA European League of Institutes of the Arts, Amsterdam, Netherlands Philippe Hardy Ecole Européenne Supérieure D art de Bretagne, France Jan Kaila University of the Arts Helsinki, Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Finland Thomas D. Meier (Chair) Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland Tiina Rosenberg University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland Conference Organisers Raija Vuorio University of the Arts Helsinki, Theatre Academy Helsinki, Finland Barbara Revelli ELIA European League of Institutes of the Arts, Netherlands Designer Aleksi Salokannel S I S I N This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein.

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