Art for The Sake of Good / Taide tekee hyvää
The webinar is in English
22.1.2025 at 12:00-13:30
About the speakers
Timo Jokela is a visual artist and Emeritus Professor at the University of Lapland. He is a founder and former leader of the Arctic Sustainable Art and Design network at the University of the Arctic, as well as Chair of Arts, Design, and Culture at the University of the Arctic.
Olli Ruokolainen (D.Sc. admin) is a Senior Researcher in the Center for Cultural Policy Research CUPORE. He has worked in several research projects focusing on the administrative preconditions of arts, health and wellbeing activities. Currently, he is researching the state of cultural wellbeing activities in the wellbeing services counties.
Katja Arapova, a psychologist, art therapist, and organiser, will share her extensive experience in harnessing creativity for well-being and self-development. Drawing from her work in Russia and Finland, Katja will explore how art therapy and creative practices can help individuals adapt to life changes, cope with difficulties, and build resilience. She will discuss her role in leading women’s support groups and volunteer projects, including her recent initiative, Women’s Club “Warm Place”, which empowers women in challenging situations through creativity and connection.
Katja will highlight the transformative power of art therapy in fostering emotional balance, self-expression, and personal growth, emphasising that no artistic skill is needed to benefit from this practice. Her insights, rooted in years of experience and collaboration with international communities, demonstrate how creativity can restore trust, bring joy, and inspire new realities.
The Kuvata Project is implemented by Tampere University of Applied Sciences, the University of Lapland, and Globe Art Point ry. The Häme Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment has granted partial funding from the European Union’s ESR+ program for the Kuvata Project.