The aim of the Development Grants for Culture is to promote the development of Tampere’s arts and cultural sector. The open application period was held from 16 September to 7 October 2026, and a total of 35 applications were submitted by the deadline. Grants were awarded to 19 projects, while 16 applications were unsuccessful.
The €125,000 awarded for 2027 is made up of three allocations: the general allocation for the Development Grants for Culture (€25,000), an allocation dedicated to festival development (€50,000), and a separate allocation (€50,000) from Operation Pirkanmaa – Regional Cultural Development in Pirkanmaa, intended for developing cultural activities in neighbourhoods.
Grants were awarded to a wide range of development projects. Supported initiatives include projects that strengthen accessibility and participation in cultural activities, develop new cultural spaces and operating models, bring cultural activities into neighbourhoods, promote internationalisation, develop professional skills in the cultural sector, support multicultural activities, and develop festivals and other cultural events. The grants also support the strengthening of collaboration networks and efforts to reach new audiences.
Priority was given to projects that have a lasting impact on the cultural sector and whose benefits are as wide-reaching as possible. In particular, development projects focused on neighbourhoods help strengthen the accessibility of culture, participation and a sense of community throughout Tampere. Thanks to the separate allocation from Operation Pirkanmaa, it was possible to fund more projects than usual that develop cultural activities in neighbourhoods and bring cultural offerings beyond the city centre.
-It is excellent that we had access to separate allocations for 2027 both for festival development and for developing cultural activities in neighbourhoods. This additional funding enabled us to support more development projects than in previous years. Through these projects, we hope to continue strengthening the accessibility of culture across Tampere in the future. The applications strongly reflected themes of community, participation, collaboration and the development of new ways of working, all of which are essential to a thriving cultural sector, says Pia Keltti, Lead Coordinator of the Cultural Support and Accessibility team at City of Tampere Public Cultural Services.
The Development Grants for Culture may be awarded for purposes such as pilot projects in the arts and cultural sector, the development of new operating models, concepts and spatial solutions, and the creation and strengthening of collaboration networks among arts and cultural organisations. Grants may also support development work related to applying for national or international funding, including EU funding. In addition, the separate allocations support festival development and the development of cultural activities in neighbourhoods.
