Management Team & Leadership Model

The operational management, strategic planning, and development of Art Organisation Silence are led by a four-member Management Team. The organisation employs a collaborative leadership model that integrates management, financial oversight, and artistic expertise into a unified governance structure.

The Managing Directors are Joonas Martikainen (Productions and External Relations) and Jonna Leppänen (Finance, Administration, and HR). The Artistic Leadership is shared by clarinetist Lauri Sallinen and circus artist Karita Tikka. Representing two distinct art forms, this artistic duo defines the organization's artistic direction, curates all festival and year-round programming, and directly embeds artistic expertise into executive decision-making.

Principles of Management Work:

• Artistic Thinking at the Core:

  The Artistic Directors ensure that intuition, visions, and innovative artistic observations remain integral to organisational structures. They define clear frameworks for artistic work and serve as companions for visiting artists.

• Regular & Integrated Governance:

  Meeting twice monthly, the Management Team jointly oversees day-to-day operations, recruitment, and strategic development in close alignment with the Board.

• Rhythm of Distributed Work:

  To complement remote operations, the team's annual timeline features dedicated in-person working sessions at the start of the spring and autumn seasons. These sessions focus on strategic planning, financial reflection, and team well-being.

Economy & Financial Structure

The operations and finances of Art OrganisationSilence are grounded in professional financial management, transparent practices, and a fair compensation policy that ensures standard-compliant working conditions for both artistic and administrative staff.

The organisation's core operations rely on discretionary operating grants alongside a diversified financing model that secures long-term sustainability:

• Discretionary Operating Grants: Core operations, the residency center, the festival, and year-round performance activities are supported through discretionary operating grants from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland / Arts and Culture Agency as well as the Municipality of Kittilä. Stable baseline funding is essential for sustaining long-term development work.

• Diversified Funding Streams: Beyond public operating grants, the organisation's financial structure includes earned income (ticket sales and expert service sales), private foundation grants, and Nordic and EU funding.

• Corporate Partnerships & Local Support: Long-term corporate partnerships provide both direct sponsorship and crucial in-kind support and services from local businesses, which are vital for festival and event execution.

• Strategic Project Funding: Silence actively secures targeted project funding for artistic initiatives, organisational development, regional and international networks, and local community development.

• Innovative Earning Models for Artists: The organization leverages its expertise to pilot new financing frameworks- such as commissioning models for contemporary circus- aimed at creating direct employment and paid commissions for independent artists.

This multifaceted financial foundation allows Silence to coordinate regional and international performing arts networks while serving as a key developer for the independent art field.

Economy, Administration & Auditing

The operations and finances of Art Organisation Silence are grounded in professional digital financial management, transparent practices, and a fair compensation policy that ensures standard-compliant working conditions for both artistic and administrative staff.

The organisation's financial integrity and transparent governance are certified through regular independent auditing. The official auditor for the association is Tilintarkastus Hyvärinen Oy.

Board & Governance

Art Organisation Silence is maintained by its background association, Taiteilijayhdistys Hiljaisuus ry. The organisation's strategic oversight and governance are guided by an independent expert Board, bringing together extensive expertise from the arts, corporate management, media, and municipal sectors. To maintain sound governance and operational independence, executive staff members do not serve on the Board.

Governance practices have been systematically strengthened to match the scale and professionalism of the organisation's operations. Continuous communication between the Management Team and the Board ensures high-quality, transparent, and sustainable decision-making.

Board 2026

The association is governed by an expert Board that brings together extensive experience across contemporary art, media, corporate executive leadership, and the public sector.

• Antti Brunni, Chairperson (CEO)

• Aino Huilaja, Secretary / Board Member (Journalist & Author)

• Heini Koskinen, Board Member (Circus Artist)

• Jussi Sorjanen, Board Member (Theatre Director)

• Lauri Supponen, Board Member (Composer)

• Tuula Ylinenpää, Board Member (Entrepreneur/ Designer)

A Growing Community of Practitioners

The association's membership comprises a diverse group of Finnish and international artists, curators, and cultural professionals who have collaborated with Silence through its festival, residency programs, or year-round productions.

The expanding membership reinforces organisational transparency and aligns operations directly with the needs of the independent arts sector. By strengthening the role of its members, Silence ensures that its strategic direction genuinely reflects the perspectives of working artists while amplifying its broader sector impact.