Dreams of Culture – Community artists’ season culminates in Hervanta, Multisilta, Peltolammi and Tesoma

“Here you can simply relax and enjoy the tranquillity – or hop across the stream stones for a little adventure if you fancy.”

Light art, creative recycling and a touch of suburban love! The community art initiative, organised by the City of Tampere, aims to increase opportunities for creative expression and inspire residents and local groups to take part in and organise activities in their own neighborhoods. Community artists offer their time, skills and ideas for the benefit of the community. In practice, this might mean photography walks in nearby nature, listening to and sharing local stories, creating a festive photo spot, bringing together neighbourhood performers for a concert, or finding new spaces for exhibitions and events. The artist doesn’t do everything alone – but they might just be the missing link that turns bubbling ideas into real action.

“When I was looking for a place to live in Tampere four years ago, my top criterion was having a local library within walking distance. I love the cosy atmosphere of neighbourhood libraries. With a smaller selection, you’re more likely to stumble upon something unexpected.”

- So far, the community art experiment feels like a success. The idea has been to learn by doing – start somewhere, get to know people, try things out and come up with more along the way. At the end of the year, we’ll gather experiences and lessons learned to inform future cultural planning. But before that, there’s still time to join in by attending the end-of-year events! encourages Project Manager Mari Jalkanen.

Under the heading Dreams of Culture, we’ve gathered examples of cultural work tried out in neighbourhoods. These experiments are part of the City Culture Unit’s activities and the project Developing a Model for Neighbourhood Cultural Work. Community art activities are made possible by Operation Pirkanmaa – a cultural network of municipalities.

Events in collaboration with: Tesoma Wellbeing Centre partners, Tesoma Library, Multisilta Daycare, Peltolammi School Parents’ Association, Peltolammi Society, Youth Centre Suklis, Ahjola Settlement – Kotila, Tampere Settlement, K-Market Multisilta, local residents, AV Workshop youth services, Hervanta Library, Tampereen Hervantalaiset

Quotes: Spirit of Place & Favourite Spot – Facebook group for Multisilta and Peltolammi community art activities