Research group
Art education and art pedagogy
Our research team promotes the working conditions of artists and art educators, utilises digital environments for art education and explores art in new contexts. The focus is on strong art-making skills and the human being with all it´s capacities.
What are we researching?
In the Art Education and Pedagogy research group, we see people as holistic and creative actors.
Our research and development work focuses on, for example:
- developing the working lives and work of artists and art educators
- art in new contexts
- emerging technologies in art education
The potential of art education
We are very interested in art in different contexts and in the identity work of individuals and communities at different ages and transitions. The possibilities of art education can be applied at many points of life and at many stages of transition. The working life and work of artists and art educators and their development is important to us.
Our research team focuses on the design, implementation and analysis of group processes in art education. The aim is to promote inclusion and accessibility. Communities can be empowered through a variety of art-based methods. We work in multiple roles and in dialogue with others.
Art is made through interaction. Emerging technologies offer opportunities for new ways of encounter. In several international projects, we have used distance learning and distance presentations in a variety of creative ways.
Art belongs to everyone. It invites people together to experience, to do, to learn about themselves and the world around them. Art shines a spotlight on things and subjects we might not otherwise see. Art has had, and continues to have, the power to change things and the world for the better. This is the work we want to support.
Mervi Rankila-Källström, Lecturer, Research Group Leader
Our work is guided by our belief in the transformative power of art.
Art education activities
Our research team has worked on art education projects and RDI projects that have promoted the inclusion and agency of people with different backgrounds, the practice of art, the employment opportunities for artists, and the use of digital learning environments for teaching and performing art.
Thousands of artists: In 2023, more than 1000 artists from all over Europe participated in our projects.
Dozens of project partners: In 2023, we worked on projects with 26 different project partners.
Our experts
We are active in national and European networks
EU networks
- ELIA Art Schools
- AEC – Association Européenne des Conservatoires
- Académies de Musique and music academies
- FEDEC – International network for professional circus education
Nordic networks
- ANMA – Association of Nordic Music Academies
- Nordplus networks
National networks
- Finnish Music Council
- Taiteen perusopetusliitto TPO ry and its member organisations
- Cirko – Centre for New Circus
- Finnish Youth Circus Federation
- Theatre Information Centre TINFO
- Other higher education in the arts e.g. Novia and the University of the Arts
Local
- TFO – Turku Philharmonic Orchestra
- Turku City Theatre
- Factory Theatre
- Åbo Svenska Teatern
- City Theatre
- Culture Campus Turku
- House of Art
- TS Group
Strong project skills
Turku University of Applied Sciences’ Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.