KUVATA WEBINAR #12 Art for The Sake of Good

22.1.2025 at 12:00-13:30
Online on Teams
Enrollment: https://docs.google.com/forms

Objectives of The Webinar

In this webinar, we will talk about the effects of visual arts on cultural well-being in Finland.

About the Speakers

Timo Jokela is a visual artist and Emeritus Professor at the University of Lapland. He is a founder and former leader of the Arctic Sustainable Art and Design network at the University of the Arctic, as well as Chair of Arts, Design, and Culture at the University of the Arctic.

Olli Ruokolainen (D.Sc. admin) is a Senior Researcher in the Center for Cultural Policy Research CUPORE. He has worked in several research projects focusing on the administrative preconditions of arts, health and wellbeing activities. Currently, he is researching the state of cultural wellbeing activities in the wellbeing services counties.

Katja Arapova, a psychologist, art therapist, and organiser, will share her extensive experience in harnessing creativity for well-being and self-development. Drawing from her work in Russia and Finland, Katja will explore how art therapy and creative practices can help individuals adapt to life changes, cope with difficulties, and build resilience. She will discuss her role in leading women’s support groups and volunteer projects, including her recent initiative, Women’s Club “Warm Place”, which empowers women in challenging situations through creativity and connection. 

Katja will highlight the transformative power of art therapy in fostering emotional balance, self-expression, and personal growth, emphasising that no artistic skill is needed to benefit from this practice. Her insights, rooted in years of experience and collaboration with international communities, demonstrate how creativity can restore trust, bring joy, and inspire new realities. 

Schedule and Structure

12.00-12.05
Opening by Globe Art Point’s Managing Director Sarri Vuorisalo-Tiitinen

12.05-12.25
Timo Jokela (
Visual Artist & Professor at the University of Lapland): The Sustainable Portraits project

Q&A 5 min

12.30 -12.50
Olli Ruokolainen (Senior Researcher, Dr.Sc.): Presenting the research Project ‘Cultural wellbeing for the elderly and the operating conditions of artists’ by the Center for Cultural Policy Research Cupore. 

Q&A 5 min

13:00-13:20
Katja Arapova (Psychologist and an Art Therapist): Talking about the transformative power of art therapy in fostering emotional balance, self-expression, and personal growth.

Q&A 5 min

13.25-13.30
Closing by Sarri Vuorisalo-Tiitinen

What is KUVATA

With the aim to produce targeted training for visual artists, the KUVATA project creates equal opportunities for visual artists in today’s evolving world through knowledge and education.

The main project partner is Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK). The University of Lapland’s Faculty of Art and Design will yield training in areas such as sustainability, responsibility, and anti-racism in the visual arts. Globe Art Point will supply educational content on topics such as equality, diversity, and ethics in the field of art, not forgetting copyright issues.

More information here: www.tuni.fi.