Dance organizations in Eastern Finland

Festivals and Events

Kuopio Tanssii ja Soi – Kuopio Dance Festival

KTS is held annually in June in Kuopio. The event features dance performances by both international and Finnish groups, free admission events, workshops, camps, and seminars, as well as other activities for dance enthusiasts. Kuopio Tanssii ja Soi – Kuopio Dance Festival(opens in new window).

Esiintymä-lyhytesitysfestivaali

The Esiintymä Short Performance Festival, held in Outokumpu in April, aims to bring together creators and audiences of the performing arts in the unique setting of Vanha Kaivos. Esiintymä website.(opens in new window)

ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival

ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival is an international site-specific contemporary art festival held annually in September in Kuopio. ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival(opens in new window)

Kuopion SoiJaTanssit

A performing arts festival in Kuopio. The aim of Kuopio SoiJaTanssit is to bring together performances by artists active in the Eastern Finland region. Kuopion SoiJaTanssit.(opens in new window)

Susiraja Arts Academy

Susiraja Arts Academy (formerly Sukset Ristiin Susirajalla) is a legendary institution of artistic creation, sensation, thought, and experimentation—an inspiring space where courses in different art forms and their cross-pollinations become experiences to be explored both collectively and individually. Susiraja Arts Academy(opens in new window).

Kaivos Festival

Kaivos Festival has been held at the Old Mine in Outokumpu, North Karelia, since the fall of 2016. The festival has become a gathering place that brings together various art forms from the 20th and 21st centuries. Kaivos Festival(opens in new window).

Groups and dance theaters

Tanssiteatteri Minimi

Dance Theatre Minimi is a Kuopio-based professional dance theatre and multifaceted community of performing arts. Dance Theatre Minimi(opens in new window).

Dance stages and studios

ITAK Stage

ITAK Stage is a contemporary dance black-box located in Kuopio.

NÄYTTÄMÖ theater

A visiting performing arts venue in Joensuu. Näyttämö website.(opens in new window)

Liiketila

A dance studio in Joensuu coordinated by professional dancers. Liiketila Instagram page.(opens in new window)

Joku-talo

Freelancers Cultural Center in Joensuu. Joku-talo.(opens in new window)

Residencies

Kokko1721

A nature-oriented residency located in Kangasniemi, South Savo. The Kokko1721 Residency offers residencies for which applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Kokko1721-residence.(opens in new window)

Old Mine Residency

Residency for artists and researchers in the Outokumpu Old Mine area. The application for residency is each year in September. Old Mine Residency.(opens in new window)

Teatteri Sujo summer residency

Summer Residency at the Barn Theater in Pörsänmäki, Northern Savonia. Teatteri Sujo.(opens in new window)

Tohmajärvi artist residency

There are two artist residencies in Tohmajärvi, North Karelia: the year-round artist residency at Tohmajärven kammarilla and the summer residency at Opistotalo Kipinä. Applications for the year-round residency are accepted on an ongoing basis, while applications for the summer residency are accepted annually in October. Tohmajärvi artist residency.(opens in new window)

Story Villa Heinävaara

Residency in the village of Heinävaara in North Karelia. Applications for the residency are accepted on an ongoing basis. Story Villa Heinävaara.(opens in new window)

Dance Education Programs

Riveria Outokumpu

North Karelia Municipal Education and Training Consortium Riveria offers a degree program leading to a vocational training in dance in Outokumpu, as well as an advanced training program in contemporary dance for professionals. Riveria Outokumpu Dance Education.

Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Savonia University of Applied Sciences offers a dance teacher training program leading to a bachelor's degree in Kuopio. Savonia University of Applied Sciences.(opens in new window)

Kuopion taidelukio Lumit

Lumit, the Kuopio Arts High School, is a specialized high school for dance, or a dance high school. In addition to standard high school subjects, students can study dance in a wide variety of ways throughout their high school years. Kuopio Arts High School(opens in new window).

Dance communities in Eastern Finland

Tanssiva Susiraja / Pohjois-Karjalan tanssitaiteen tuki ry

The purpose of the association is to support dance activities in the North Karelia region. It organizes morning rehearsals, projects, and courses for professionals, among other things. Tanssiva Susiraja in Facebook.(opens in new window)

KUKA / Kuopion katutanssiyhdistys ry

The Kuopio Street Dance Association (KUKA) is a local organization based in Kuopio that promotes street dance styles and street culture. KUKA offers weekly street dance classes for enthusiasts of all ages, from beginners to advanced dancers, and is actively involved in organizing various street dance events and jam sessions. Kuopion katutanssiyhdistys ry.(opens in new window)

ISKY / Itä-Suomen katutanssiyhdistys ry

ISKY ry is an association dedicated to street dance culture in Eastern Finland. Itä-Suomen katutanssiyhdistys ry.(opens in new window)

Kuopio City of Dance

The Kuopio Dance Community organizes joint initiatives and events and promotes Kuopio as a city of dance. The main driving forces behind the community are the Kuopio Tanssii ja Soi Festival, Dance Theater Minimi, and ITAK. Kuopio City of Dance brochure.(opens in new window)

Want to add your own community to the list?

If you are a professional in the field of dance or work in a related field, please contact ITAK’s communications specialist, and we will add you to the list.