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Oulu August Festivals is looking for accessible art for its program in August 2025.
Oulu August Festivals highlights artists and art organizations from Oulu and the northern region in its program. Artists can apply for the 2025 program until 2 February 2025.
In previous years, there have been tightrope dancing, aerial acrobatics, media art, theatre, opera, immersive multidisciplinary works, urban adventures, and a folk music and dance event. For the 2025 programme, a production is sought that places special emphasis on the accessibility of art.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE 2025 OPEN CALL
- All artistic disciplines are welcome to apply.
- The applicant is a professional artist or group from Oulu, the northern region, or with roots in the north.
- The production will be carried out during Oulu August Festivals in August 2025 in Oulu or the Oulu region. The content complements the rest of the Oulu August Festivals' program without competing with it.
- The application will be evaluated based on the artistic quality, appeal, relevance, freshness, and connection to the northern region of the production.
- The production can consist of either a one-time performance or a longer-term project (e.g. exhibition).
- New production: The piece/event/exhibition will be presented for the first time at Oulu August Festivals. Afterward, it can be presented elsewhere.
- The production has a feasible plan for overall funding. A letter of intent may be issued for the production if completion of the work is contingent on later confirmed funding.
- In the production, various aspects of accessibility should be taken into account. More information on accessible culture can be found at Culture for All website.
One production will be selected. The responsibility of executing the production lies entirely with the artist/team. Oulu August Festivals supports the production with a maximum of 3000 euros. If there is an admission fee, tickets can be sold through Oulu August Festivals. Ticket revenue, after service fees, will go entirely to the creator/group.
The artist/team commits to give special attention to accessibility in the production, from one or more perspectives. We welcome creative solutions to reach new audiences and make art accessible despite various barriers. It is possible to receive support for accessibility-related issues during the production phase from the Oulu Cultural Events Association's Saavuta Project. We encourage all kinds of applications from artists and artist groups of diverse backgrounds.
The production will become part of Oulu August Festivals' joint marketing, which is carried out by a team of professionals and include diverse campaigns across various channels. Additionally, depending on the nature of the production, there may be an opportunity to present the production at the Northern Cultural Stream website and social media, and/or create a recording of the production. Visibility on the Northern Cultural Stream will be agreed upon separately. The artist/team also commits to sharing their working process, particularly from an accessibility perspective, in a webinar or seminar organized by the Saavuta Project (more information about the Saavuta project at the Oulu Cultural Events Association's website).
Oulu August Festivals has the EcoCompass Certificate and follows those principles in all of its operations. Oulu August Festivals is also a discrimination-free festival that adheres to the principles of creating a safer space. We expect these aspects to be taken into account in events included in the Oulu August Festivals' programme.
Use this link to submit the application via Google Forms. A project plan and budget need to be added in the application. The form will be open until 2 February, 2025 at 23:59. The board of the Oulu Cultural Events Association will select the production, and the applicant will be notified personally of the selection by the end of February 2025.
The open call is carried out in collaboration with the Oulu Cultural Events Association's Saavuta – Equal Access to Cultural Events for All Project. The project is funded by the North Ostrobothnia ELY Centre through the European Social Fund, as well as by the municipalities participating in the project: Oulu, Ii, Kuusamo, and Raahe. The project is part of the Oulu Cultural Events Association's Oulu2026 Delta Life Project.
More information: Producer Laura Siitonen, laura(at)oulunjuhlaviikot.fi, p. +358 41 3135341.
Win a ticket to a unique jazz experience on Fri, 2 August. Macro concert brings the artist close to you like a camera's macro lens. The jazz vocalist and Artistic Director of Elojazz, Aili Ikonen, will perform together with pianist Tuomas J. Turunen for just eight people in a secret location in Oulu on 2 August at 17:30.
Join the raffle by commenting the posts either on Facebook or Instagram by 29 July at 16:00. Tag a friend you'd like to bring along to share the experience with you. The winners will be notified personally.
In addition to the Macro Concert, Aili Ikonen will perform at Elojazz on 1 August as the soloist for Oulu Symphony in her "Valo" album release concert.
Photo: Tero Ahonen
Oulu August Festivals is looking for art for its program in August 2024.
Oulu August Festivals highlights artists and art organizations from Oulu and the northern region in its program. Artists can apply for the 2024 program until January 31.
In previous years, there have been tightrope dancing, aerial acrobatics, media art, theater, opera, immersive multidisciplinary works, urban adventures, and street theater.
Selection criteria for the 2024 application:
- The applicant is a professional artist or group from Oulu, the northern region, or with roots in the north.
- The production will be carried out during the Oulu August Festivals in August 2024 in Oulu or the Oulu region.
- All artistic disciplines are welcome to apply.
- The application will be evaluated based on the artistic quality, appeal, relevance, freshness, and connection to the northern region of the work.
- The program can consist of either a one-time performance or a longer-term project (e.g. exhibition).
- New work: The piece will be presented for the first time at Oulu August Festivals. Afterward, it can be presented elsewhere.
- The work has a plan for funding and is feasible for execution. A letter of intent may be issued for the production if completion of the work is contingent on later confirmed funding.
One piece will be selected. The production responsibility lies entirely with the creator/group. Oulu August Festivals supports the production with a maximum of 3000 euros. If there is an admission fee for the performance, tickets can be sold through Oulu August Festivals. Ticket revenue, after ticketing costs, will go entirely to the creator/group.
The piece will become part of Oulu August Festivals' joint marketing efforts, which are carried out by a team of professionals and include diverse campaigns across various channels. Additionally, depending on the nature of the work, there may be an opportunity to present the piece on the Northern Cultural Stream platform (www.pohjoinenkulttuurivirta.fi) and/or create a recording of the performance/artwork. Visibility on the Northern Cultural Stream will be agreed upon separately. Other assistance (communication, schedules, contacts, production support) will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The application can be submitted at this link: link.webropol.com/s/ojvohjelma2024 (link goes to another site). The application form should include a work plan and budget for the project. The form will be open until January 31, 2024 at 23:59. The selection of the project will be decided by the board of the Oulu Cultural Events Association, and the applicant will be notified personally of the selection.
Oulu August Festivals has an Ekokompassi certificate and follows those principles in all of its operations. Oulu August Festivals is also a discrimination-free festival that adheres to the principles of creating a safer space. We expect these aspects to be taken into account in events included in the Oulu August Festivals' program.
More information: Producer Laura Siitonen laura(at)oulunjuhlaviikot.fi, p. 041 3135341
Oulu Pride takes place on the first week of August. Oulu Pride and Oulu August Festival continue their festival friendship this year, both rooting for each other and equality. All the colors of the rainbow will shine on the Bright City of the North, when Oulu Pride celebrates diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Oulu Pride is an event for everyone. The event’s goal is to promote and increase the visibility of the rights of sexual and gender minorities. The theme of this year’s Oulu Pride is International LGBTQIA+ rights.
"Equal rights belong to everyone in the world, but there are still many countries where rainbow people face discrimination, hatred and injustice. There is still a lot of work to be done to improve things in Finland as well," says Martu Väisänen, the producer of Oulu Pride.
International rainbow rights can also be seen in Pride’s programme: there are international panel discussions and other content. Everyone is welcome to Pride, no matter where they are from.
Culture and art as a tool to better equality
In case it is hard to choose one’s favourites from the programme, Väisänen gives a few highlights:
"Cultural evening in Restaurant Tuba on Thursday 4 August is already a classic! This sympathetic and cozy event will certainly attract different people interested in culture. You can also try some of our other cultural contents, such as painting stones and tying flower wreaths, participate in a queer-spirited song and dance workshop, try shibari safely, or come and make rainbow beaded animals.” Most of Pride's programme also have free entry.
Even though the range of events is extensive, easily accessible and open to everyone, participating in Pride can still feel difficult in some way. Väisänen sends warm greetings to everyone who is considering whether to participate or not:
"Pride is for all of us who want a more equal city and environment. The more of us are marching and participating in other Pride events, the stronger our voice is for love and equality. We won't define you, you define yourself, and thus you are welcome to march with us – together we are more!
Oulu Pride on 1–7 August 2022. More info and the whole programme at Oulu Pride website here (in Finnish). Oulu Pride is also on Instagram.
Oulu August Festival arranges two kino concerts where Finnish silent films are screened with live accompaniment.
The first concert takes place on Friday, August 19 at 19:00 in Valvesali, Oulu. The film Meren kasvojen edessä (In front of the Face of the Sea) is a mystery story taking place in Finnish archipelago. Horror elements and eerie dream scenes create the film’s ominous atmosphere. It was the most watched film in Finland in 1926 when it was released.
The music is composed and performed by the composer and sound artist Joona Hiltunen, whose work with sound is characterized by electronic, haziness and sample music. He’s been inspired by the tormenting ignorance and aggression in the film, in addition to the chemistry between the characters.
The second concert on Saturday, 20 August at 18:00 takes the audience into very different atmosphere in Sykesali, Kiiminki. The film is a silent comedy Nummisuutarit (Heath Cobblers), which is based on the play by the same name by the Finnish national writer Aleksis Kivi. The film tells a story of village cobbler’s son Esko’s unfortunate wooing trip and how he swears never to marry.
The film is accompanied by the folk music duo Katri Haukilahti, violin, and Sampo Korva, harmonium from the folk music band Tallari. Tallari's mission is to make Finnish traditional music known, performing wherever there is a need for music.
Tickets
15 €, 12 € retired, 9 € unemployed, students, kids
Kaikukortti can be used in the concerts.
At Ticketmaster, a processing fee and an order fee are added to the price. No fees are added at the Cultural Centre Valve Ticket Office. Tickets can also be bought at the door one hour before the screenings. Tickets from the online store via this link.