Achievement of the strategic objectives of Cultural Services
Cultural Services have met almost all the objectives set for them in the 2021–2025 City Strategy. It has not been possible to achieve all of the objectives, such as improving access to the arts and opportunities for cultural professionals to work outside the city centre, in all services due to their nature and location. Some of the objectives have been achieved in cooperation with other divisions and other actors in the field of arts and culture.
The goal of the assessment
The main question of the assessment was whether Cultural Services have achieved the objectives set for them in the City Strategy for the years 2021–2025. The assessment examined whether access to cultural services has improved in different parts of Helsinki, whether Helsinki’s cultural life has been diversified and strengthened, and whether Helsinki has been developed as a city of events and cultural experiences. Cultural Services include the City Museum, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, cultural centres and the Cultural Promotion Service.
Conclusions
Cultural Services have furthered almost all of the objectives set for the service in the 2021–2025 City Strategy. Cultural Services have adapted their offering and moved their activities to different parts of Helsinki, but the scale and effectiveness of the measures have varied from service to service. In some services, activities outside the city centre have been implemented mainly through cooperation. Some of these services have contributed to access to the arts and opportunities for cultural professionals to work outside the city centre. In addition to this, the development of South Harbour, Makasiiniranta, Itäkeskus and Suvilahti as centres of experience has been promoted. The services have also invested in arts facilities and organised international events and collaborations. Helsinki has been developed as a city of events and cultural experiences, especially through cooperation between the Culture and Leisure Division, the Urban Environment Division and the City Executive Office. The temporary use of premises has also been promoted in cooperation. The conditions for events and the presence and visibility of culture and arts in the city centre have been improved.
Recommendations of the Audit Committee
The Cultural Services Unit of the Culture and Leisure Division must
- continue to develop the temporary use of premises to facilitate the use of facilities and areas for events.
- continue to improve the availability of cultural offerings outside the inner city as well.