Association

Vision of RaumArs activities by the Board of Directors. (Click to enlarge.)

The RaumArs Artist-in-Residence Programme started in 1997. In 1999 RaumArs became an independent association with the aim of bringing the art world and the community closer to each other.

RaumArs is situated in Rauma town (Rauma+Ars, Latin word for 'art'). Rauma has two Unesco World Heritage Sites: Old Rauma (1991) and Sammallahdenmäki (archeological site, 1999). Here is also Selkämeri (Bothnian Sea) National Park, which is founded in 2011.

RaumArs functions in the Satakunta region in western Finland with help from local art and cultural institutions, organisations and individuals. RaumArs is a member of ResArtis – Wolrdwide Network of Artist Residencies.

RaumArs' long-term and solid parter is the Rauma Art Museum, that supports artist-in-residence activities by professional assistance.

The purpose of RaumArs is to take art out of museums and galleries, and to work in a social context to create innovative links between artists, individuals and communities. Professional artists produce interesting works and projects, which are open to all kind of participants. Aim is also in developing connections between artists from Satakunta region and artists in residence.

RaumArs is artistically widely ranged; it includes all Visual arts (Fine Art & Contemporary including Craft & Design and Architecture), all Performing (Dance, Music, Theatre including Sound & Light design). Writers, Curators and Researchers are also welcomed. Annually 4–10 international or national artist are invited to work with local people and live in the city of Rauma. Artists are selected through an application process.

During the residency artists create communal/public/environmental/site specific artworks. Moreover artists have the possibility to create independent art works and to present their work in the form of an exhibition/performance/education/workshop/event during and at the end of the residency period. Exhibitions can not be guaranteed, because RaumArs do not have a space of it's own. 

Most often artist work with school children and RaumArs collaboration with museums is continuous. RaumArs has collaborates of different associations (also non-artistic and non-cultural), festivals in Rauma and Satakunta area and institutions for example printmakers, ceramic artists, orienteering association, dance-music-fine art schools for children and young, Blue Sea Film Festival (artists-in-residency of August are members of a jury of a short film competition), Adult Education Centre, Lace Makers, herring market, sailors, Rauma Street Mission and their Youth Community Centre or wood workshop, The Martha’s, Association for the Unemployed of Rauma – just name it!

Funding
• Arts Promotion Centre Finland 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• City of Rauma 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• Finnish Cultural Foundation 2014, 2015, 2020 (Satakunta Foundation 2020)
• Erkki Paasikivi Foundation 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Arts Promotion Centre Finland / Satakunta, Pori 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
• Pori Centre for Children's Culture Kruunupää 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• Vakkasuomen Nuorisosäätiö 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
• Erik Rosenlew foundation 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Alfred Kordelin Foundation Rauma branch 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021

Other supporters and sponsors

2014 Union for Rural Education & Culture and Kiinteistö Oy Tarvontori
 2015 Erkko Näppi Oy, Eurajoen Romu Oy, Finlandia Foundation, Finnpilot, Kiinteistö Oy Tarvontori, Kukukari Oy, Logistikas Oy, Meriaura Maritime Logistics, Monentoimentalo, Rauma Marine Constructions Oy, Rauma Works Oy, Rauman Betoni Oy, Rauman Merihistoriallinen Seura ry, Tapani Kuusisto / Rauman KTK Oy, Viitama Raumo Tmi and VG-Shipping.
2016: Rauman Merihistoriallinen Seura ry.
2017: Rauma Reimari Lions Club.

Board  of Directors 2018–

Elina Junnila; entrepreneur/social and health care, chair
Juli-Anna Aerila, PhD (education); Docent (literature education and reading)
Heta Kaisto, director/Rauma art museum
Katariina Mannio; visual artist, Rauma Print Makers, Rauma Art School teacher, vice chair
Jonna Soininen, visual artist, teacher.
Janne Koski; art museum director (retired)

Deputy members

Jenni Suominen; dancer, practical nurce

Secretary of the board