Network of Regional Dance Centers - general
Network of Regional Dance Centers - goals
Regional Dance Center in Northern Finland
Members of Regional Dance Center in Northern Finland

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NETWORK OF REGIONAL DANCE CENTERS - GENERAL:

According to the proposal, made by the Ministry of Education and Culture appointed working group, a nation wide network of regional dance centers was started in two phases. In the first phase, in 2004 after receiving applications, culture minister Tanja Karpela named three regional centers: Regional Dance Center in Northern Finland, Savon tanssi ry and Zodiak – The Center for New Dance. The network grew, in the beginning of 2005, with two new regional centers: Lounais-Suomen tanssikeskus and Pirkanmaan tanssikeskus. In year 2006 there were five Regional Dance Centers in Finland: Regional Dance Center of Eastern Finland, Regional Dance Center in Western Finland, Central Finland Regional Dance Center, Zodiak - Center for New Dance and Regional Dance Center in Northern Finland.

The Ministry of Education and Culture has committed to funding the this new nation wide network of Regional Dance Centers until 2009, when their operation during the starting phase will be evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively.

While making the decision regarding the naming of the regional centers the Ministry of Education and Culture considered it to be important that they are situated in places where there are not only performances, but also other activity in the field. Other criteria were existing activity, high level of know-how, as well as a nation wide scope for the entirety of the operation.

Regional center funding consists of state grants, regional and local money, as well as profits from own activities. In 2004 100 000€ of state grants were allocated to regional center activities. In 2005 the sum was 450 000€  and in 2006 the state grant was 600 000€. The sum has slowly grown and is nowadays 900 000€. State grant can be up to half of the accepted costs in the development plan.

Regional centers operate individually, but in co-operation with each other. They choose the activities that are best suited to accomplishing set goals.

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NETWORK OF REGIONAL DANCE CENTERS - GOALS:

1. Promote equal availability of art and culture services and social as well as regional accessibility of dance art where there is already activity and people.

Influence is seen as increased supply of dance art and accordingly increased use of services in different parts of the country.

2. Increase work opportunities of dance artists in their own fields.

Influence is seen in the improvement of structures in the field of dance in the whole country and, therefore, in better employment figures of dance artists also outside the capital area.

3. Increase co-operation and strengthen know-how.

Dance works produced by several participants are an effect of increased co-operation. With strengthening know-how also the supply of high level and expressive dance art is increased. Development of know-how is also increased by goals 1 and 2.

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REGIONAL DANCE CENTER IN NORTHERN FINLAND

Regional Center in Northern Finland consists of four professional members of northern dance: JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre (Oulu), Folk Ensemble Rimpparemmi (Rovaniemi) from the Lappi Province, Routa (Kajaani), Pyhäsalmen Tanssi ry (Pyhäjärvi). The members include 2 theatres subsidized by law, a free dance group and a nationally significant and internationally known festival of modern dance.

Each of the members  operates independently, but also in co-operation with other members. Naturally Regional Dance Center in Northern Finland co-operates with the other Regional Centers. In 2005, the state grant for Northern Center was 130 000€. The next year, 2006, the grant was increased by 40 000€ the total sum being 170 000€.  The funding for all Regional Dance Centers includes in addition to the the state grant, regional and local money from municipalities as well as the profits from own performances. Other supporting Other supporting organisations can be for example the Regional Arts Counsils.

In the north, the Regional Dance Center funding is used to strengthen the professional dance’s place in the field of art and culture in Oulu and Lappi Provinces. Production structures for dance are created so that it would be possible to support oneself as a dance artist. Regional center activity also develops and increases the supply of dance art outside cities, in parishes and villages.

Bringing national and international works to the north diversifies the supply of dance art in Oulu and Lappi Provinces. Circulating works in more than one place is also effective in sharing the costs of, for example, marketing, travel and freight. Thereby, visiting performances are economically cheaper for one locality.

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MEMBERS OF REGIONAL DANCE CENTER IN NORTHERN FINLAND:

                                             JoJo  -   Rimpparemmi  -  Routa  -  Pyhäsalmen Tanssi ry

JoJo - Oulu Dance Center is an organization for producing and promoting professional dance productions. It is one of eleven similar organizations financed by the Sate of Finland according to the Theatre and Orchestra Law. The core of JoJo's repertoire consists of contemporary  dance, but the productions also include other fields of dance, e.g. folkdance, flamenco and ballroom dancing. Visiting productions are also included in JoJo's yearly programme. 

Managing Director: Helena Jäykkä
Artistic Director: Katarina McAlester
Producer: Anneli Kreetanniemi

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