Culture is for all!

Art and culture companions

are voluntary friends available for museums and exhibitions, theatre or concerts

All museums in Jyväskylä are participants in the Art and Culture Companion service, which aims to lower the threshold for the use of cultural services. Art and Culture Companions offer new possibilities for grassroots cultural activity and encourage people to enjoy cultural events. Art and Culture Companions help in making culture more accessible by accompanying individuals to events or by acting as peer guides to groups in museums. Art and Culture Companions are not exactly professional guides, but rather volunteering amateurs who operate according to the principles of voluntary work. The aim of the Art and Culture Companion training has been to build a functional network of voluntary cultural ’ambassadors’ and also to provide recreational opportunities for everyone involved.

The Art and Culture Companion service in a nutshell:

•the Art and Culture Companions are informed of the cultural services offered in the region and accompany individuals and groups to events and exhibitions

•the service can be used by private persons including persons with special needs as well as communities, associations and institutions

•the Art and Culture Companions network with various organisations and cultural agents, promoting community anf well-being

•the service itself is free of charge, and groups and individuals accompanied by an art and culture companion are entitled to free entry at museums or to special discounts at cultural venues

•the principles of voluntary work apply to the service

•regular meetings and further training are arranged for the Art and Culture Companions

The following museums and galleries participate in the art and culture companion service in 2010: Jyväskylä Art Museum, Alvar Aalto Museum, Museum of Central Finland, Craft Museum of Finland, Jyväskylä University Museum, Galleria Becker, Kuokkala Manor Gallery and the Aviation Museum of Central Finland.

In addition, the Jyväskylä City Theatre and the Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä grant a special discount to users of the Art and Culture Companion service.

NEW: In 2010 specialized Dance and Movie Companions are also awailable to accompany people to enjoy new culture portions. They encourage new audience to enjoy dance performances and helps movie audience to try alternative films and festivals. They work also as Art and Culture Companions and may be asked to escort dissabled to performances.

You can ask for an Art and Culture Companion from:

Hanne Laitinen
Art and Culture Companion Coordinator
Tel. +358 50 338 1114
E-mail: hannemari.laitinen@jkl.fi