Cultural centres as performing arts venues: open call for the autumn 2026 and spring 2027 programme periods
The City of Helsinki's cultural centres Kanneltalo, Malmitalo, Stoa and Vuotalo are seeking new or adapted works of performing arts for their programming periods for autumn 2026 and spring 2027.
The call is a pilot project aimed at increasing clarity and transparency in the programming choices of cultural centres and finding a permanent way to maintain a functional application process for artists, performing groups and any other performing arts organisations in Helsinki.
The applicant must use the same form to apply to all the cultural centres participating in the pilot. From these applications, the joint production team of the cultural centres will select the content to be included in the programme and any works or events to potentially tour the centres. The target group of the work can be families, young people, adults or the elderly. The selected works will be performed at one or more centres during the coming seasons. Kanneltalo, Malmitalo, Stoa and Vuotalo are participating in the pilot.
The call is open to operators (associations, cooperatives and other similar organisations) based in Helsinki or artist groups with at least one Helsinki-based artist (resident of Helsinki). You cannot apply for the open call with a work or concept that receives project funding from the City of Helsinki.
The content of the works or performance concepts can be dance, theatre, circus, performance art, live art or multidisciplinary art. Conventional concerts are not selected through an open call, but live music as part of a work or adapted into a new performing art form can be selected for the centres' programmes.
The selection is based on both artistic content and technical feasibility. The choices are guided by the strategic priorities of the City of Helsinki.
Timetables
The call is open from 3 November 2025 to 7 December 2025.
Production negotiations will start in early 2026. The production decisions of the call will be announced by 23 February 2026.
Communication and marketing materials for the works selected for the autumn 2026 programme must be delivered by 28 April 2026.
The first performance in the cultural centres will take place in autumn 2026 or spring 2027, depending on the centre, the selected work and the working group's schedule.
Artist-in-residence summer projects are available in Stoa from 7 to 27 July 2026, Kanneltalo from 8 June to 14 August 2026, Malmitalo from 15 June to 31 July 2026 and Vuotalo from 30 June to 31 July 2026 during the opening hours of the centres.
For those selected for the programme, we offer:
- an artist-in-residence summer project in one cultural centre (2–4 weeks depending on the centre)
- 2–8 days of building and stage rehearsal time before the first performance
- 2–6 performance days (the number of performances is agreed separately and depends on the number of performances and performers and the type of performance)
- stage space and in-house stage technology
- technical staff to assist in the construction and implementation of the performances (2–3 people)
- exposure in the programme calendar on the cultural centres' websites and social media accounts
- Lippupiste advance and door ticket sales
- the possibility to share ticket proceeds
- lobby security and performance ticketing provided by the centres
- a small production grant based on the size of the performing group, the content of the work, the number of performances and the estimated budget
- support for the production process and invoicing upon separate agreement
What we expect from applicants:
- Production know-how: the production should have a designated technical production manager, who will plan and be responsible for the running of the show and a possible touring version in collaboration with the cultural centre's producers and production planners.
- A timetable and a description of the production schedule and budget estimate
- Pre-planning for the technical implementation (submitting schedules, music files and simple lighting requests to the in-house production planner at least six weeks before the first performance)
- Responsibility for communication and marketing: providing ticket sales information and communication materials (images, presentation text and performance times) in accordance with the cultural centres' communications calendar (approximately seven months before the performance date) and active participation in the marketing and communication of the work.
- The ability to provide invoices or information on the need for production support via the production platform
Find out more about the facilities and technology of the cultural centres on their websites:
Kanneltalo facilities and technical equipment
Malmitalo facilities and technical equipment
Stoa facilities and technical equipment
Vuotalo facilities and technical equipment
Possible types of production:
The final type of production will be negotiated before the contract is signed.
When applying, please note that productions will be scheduled more precisely after the programme selection.
How to apply
Apply by filling in the online application form (PLEASE NOTE! The application form opens on November 3, 2025.) and sending a PDF attachment by email to: avoinhaku.kulttuuri@hel.fi
Information required on the PDF file:
- work plan including a schedule and working group bios
- technical plan / concept for the work (also include a possible touring version)
- total budget including the self-financing share
Send the attachment in PDF format to: avoinhaku.kulttuuri@hel.fi.
Please provide a clear email subject line: Avoin haku 2026–2027 Name of performer / working group
The deadline for submission of the application and the attachment is 7 December 2025.
Unfortunately, we cannot consider late applications or applications missing the attachment.
Further information:
Maria Junno, cultural producer, Kanneltalo
maria.junno@hel.fi
Call times: 12 November at 10.00–13.00 and 19 November at 10.00–13.00
Tel. +358 40 508 6022
Sara Hirn, cultural producer, Stoa
sara.hirn@hel.fi
Call times: 7 November at 12.00–15.00 and 26 November at 10.00–13.00
Tel. +358 50 382 8151
Information events on the open call:
Stoa lobby on Tue, 11 November, at 17.00–19.00
Kanneltalo lobby on Wed, 26 November, at 16.00–18.00