Cultural Wellbeing Plan

What is cultural well-being?

Cultural well-being refers to a person's individual or communally shared experience that culture, the arts and creative activities increase well-being or are connected to it. On the other hand, it is a phenomenon in which culture and art carry or convey various meanings and effects related to well-being. At its core is a person's meaningful activity in art and culture, which also includes the cultural nature of everyday life.

Culture and its effects on well-being permeate the entire human life cycle and are manifested in one's relationship with art. Art and culture are understood as part of a good quality of life and lifelong learning: a person is an experiencer and actor of culture, who has cultural needs and rights. The fulfillment and realization of these is cultural well-being: everyone is in some way a cultural, creative, self-expressive and communicative being, regardless of their age, health or living conditions.

Source: Magic heart

The well-being effects of culture

The well-being effects of artistic activities

Studies have shown that art and artistic activities have a variety of positive effects on physical health, mental well-being, and perceived well-being, quality of life, and happiness.

Studies have found that art and artistic activities can, among other things,

• improve treatment outcomes and reduce physical and psychological symptoms
• reduces the need for and use of sedatives, painkillers and sleeping pills
• helps reduce loneliness and social isolation
• prevent and reduce negative emotions such as anxiety, depression and sadness
• support coping with mental health challenges.

Cultural rights are protected in the UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948) as well as in several human rights treaties binding on Finland and the Finnish Constitution.

WHO report on the health effects of arts and culture

According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2019, arts can offer innovative solutions to complex health challenges. What is the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review report states that participation in arts activities, both as an experiencer and as a creator, can prevent numerous mental and physical illnesses and treat and help cope with many acute and chronic diseases. Arts can offer solutions, especially to complex health challenges for which medicine alone does not offer effective solutions.

The report, published by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, covers over 3500 studies. It is the most extensive survey of the health effects of arts and culture to date. With the report, it is finally undeniable that there is strong research evidence on the health effects of arts and culture.

TEAvisari – culture increases well-being

The National Institute for Health and Welfare's TEAVaisari measures how and with what resources municipalities implement cultural activities that promote well-being and health. The data is collected every two years in odd-numbered years.

In TEAViisari, cultural activities are divided into target groups as follows:

• Cultural activities for children and young people
• Cultural activities for working-age people
• Cultural activities for the elderly
• Cultural activities that take into account various minority and special groups
• Cultural activities that promote well-being, health and inclusion

The first cultural data collection was carried out in 2019. The results of the cities can be read on the website Data collection – TEAviisari – Health Promotion Benchmarking Information System.

Sources:

Magic heart

TEA wizard

Important concepts

Participation

Participation means belonging to a community, acting within it, and experiencing belonging to the community and one's own significance as a member of it. Participation is seen as both a goal and a means to increase equality and internal integrity in society. The assumption is that increasing participation increases individual well-being.

Accessibility of digital environments

Accessibility of arts and culture refers to the equal rights and opportunities of all people to develop themselves, use arts and cultural services, and participate in arts and cultural life, including as creators and professionals. The aim is to improve accessibility of arts and culture by removing barriers to participation and by designing services that take into account the diversity of people.

Accessibility

Accessibility is about taking human diversity into account in the design, implementation and maintenance of the built environment. Accessible environments, together with accessible services, usable tools and understandable information, enable equal inclusion.

Sources:

Magic heart

Disabled Association

Riihimäki's cultural promise: In Riihimäki, culture is for everyone

Riihimäki has an atmosphere that values ​​culture and culture is for everyone. Riihimäki's compact urban structure makes cultural services easily accessible. Riihimäki is a central location, easy to reach from other locations.

Culture is a fundamental right for everyone, regardless of their background. Culture is also a means of self-realization. Riihimäki offers diverse opportunities for experiencing and engaging in culture. Riihimäki aims to ensure that culture is accessible, accessible, diverse, equal and respectful of diversity. The cultural offering takes into account people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds. The city's own cultural strengths and special features are strengthened.

Implementers of the cultural well-being plan

Riihimäki cultural actors

The cultural well-being plan is implemented jointly by several different actors:

• Riihimäki City Cultural and Event Services
• Cultural education and training: early childhood education, schools, educational institutions (upper secondary school, Hyria and Häme University of Applied Sciences HAMK), Riihimäki Library, Riihimäki Adult Education Centre, Riihimäki Youth Services
• Basic art education: Riihimäki Music Institute, Riihimäki Art School, Riihimäki Youth Theatre, South Häme Dance Institute, Dance Studio Dance Art, Studio Dance & Joy, Riihimäki Adult Education Institute
• Riihimäki open welfare services: Open senior activities, Riksula
• Museums: Riemu Museum Centre, Finnish Glass Museum, Finnish Hunting Museum, National Workers' House Museum
• Free cultural field: cinemas, art professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, independent cultural service providers and enthusiasts
• Other cultural producers: Riihimäki Theatre, associations, clubs, foundations, parishes
• Kanta-Häme's wellness area OmaHäme.

Riihimäki City Cultural and Event Services

The role of the cultural and event services of the City of Riihimäki in implementing the cultural well-being plan:

• The City of Riihimäki's cultural and event services organize numerous events for city residents of all ages and are partners in several events and collaborate with various actors. The cultural and event services are also involved in the Kanta-Häme regional cultural cooperation.
• Cultural education is implemented in the Cultural Path of early childhood education and schools, which is produced in collaboration with the ARX Cultural Center. In addition, Children's Cultural Saturday events implemented by local cultural venues are coordinated.
• Cultural and Event Services coordinates the Riihimäki Art Working Group, which is responsible for public art projects.
• Local cultural activities are supported by granting grants to private individuals and art and cultural associations.
• Cultural well-being is strengthened by maintaining the Kaikukortti activity and developing new operating models based on the cultural well-being plan.

General priorities

The following general focus areas should be taken into account in order to realize the cultural promise of Riihimäki and the goals of the various target groups described in this plan:

Priority 1. Developing cultural accessibility

• The accessibility of cultural services will be developed based on the current situation mapped out for the plan.
• The dense urban structure of Riihimäki will be utilized to improve the accessibility of cultural services.
• We will develop opportunities for all city residents to participate in culture as part of everyday life.
• Good and effective practices in achieving culture are recognized and their offerings are increased.
• Residents are encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation of cultural and event services.
• Cultural spaces will be developed to be accessible. Accessibility surveys of Riihimäki cultural spaces will be carried out and accessibility information will be created for websites.
• Public art will be developed to be more accessible. Art will be integrated into the urban environment, making culture visible everywhere.
• Kaikukortti activities are being developed in Riihimäki.

Focus 2. Strengthening the importance of culture

• Let's make Riihimäki's art, culture and cultural heritage visible among art and cultural actors and city residents.
• We support the opportunities for cultural and artistic creators to do artistic work.
• Promoting cultural well-being by producing culture and art in Riihimäki.
• Enabling city residents to have a personal cultural experience by bringing culture closer to residents, for example by implementing public art projects.
• Increasing awareness of culture by gathering information online about Riihimäki's cultural and artistic creators and the services they offer, such as performances, workshops, traveling exhibitions, expert and production services.

Priority 3. Improving marketing and communication

• The awareness of city residents and various city actors about the art and cultural content available in Riihimäki will be strengthened.
• Information will be developed and strengthened for all age groups, making versatile use of different channels.
• We will work closely with various city departments and cultural actors in the region.
• Improving signage for cultural sites in the city
• Information on accessibility and accessibility information for cultural spaces will be provided.

Priority 4. Strengthening cooperation between different actors

• Cross-administrative cooperation between the city's different departments will be developed.
• Cooperation between all cultural actors in Riihimäki will be increased.
• Cooperation with the Kanta-Häme welfare area OmaHäme will be developed, for example by developing the Cultural Prescription activity from healthcare to culture.

Target groups of the cultural well-being plan

In the Riihimäki Cultural Wellbeing Plan, the objectives, proposed measures and monitoring are divided according to the following target groups:

1. Children, young people (0–17 years old) and families with children
2. Young adults (18–24 years old)
3. Working-age people (25–64 years old)
4. Elderly (over 65 years old)
5. Those in need of special support
6. Immigrants.

Monitoring of the plan is reported annually in connection with the Riihimäki Well-being Report.

Target group 1. Children, young people and families with children

Goal: Every child has access to diverse culture in their everyday lives, regardless of their financial situation and background.

Riihimäki is a UNICEF child-friendly municipality. The comprehensive school offers music-focused basic education and implements the Finnish Hobby Model. The Cultural Path is implemented in early childhood education and schools. Children and young people receive a diverse range of basic art education. Children's cultural Saturdays are organised once a month. The library and museums offer a variety of activities.

Target group 2. Young adults

Goal: Every young adult has access to culture, regardless of their financial situation and background.

Riihimäki offers a wide range of cultural activities for young adults, including a wide range of art education, youth services, community college courses, library services, various events and free events organized by the city.

Target group 3. Working age people

Goal: Culture is part of the lives and everyday lives of all working-age people.

Riihimäki offers a variety of cultural activities for working-age people, such as library services, community college courses, a music college, art school, dance schools, theater, museums, activities of associations, clubs, orchestras and choirs, as well as diverse events and free events organized by the city.

Target group 4. Elderly people

Goal: Culture is part of the lives and everyday lives of all older people.

Riihimäki offers a wide range of cultural activities for the elderly, such as Riihimäki Open Welfare Services and Riksula, Kotokartanosaätiö, library services, community college courses, museums, diverse events and free events organized by the city, association and club activities, orchestras and choirs, and opportunities for volunteer work.

Target group 5. People in need of special support

Goal: Those who need special support to participate have the opportunity to participate in arts and culture.

Riihimäki has hobby groups and library services for people with special needs. The city's cultural and event services provide grants for activities for people with special needs. The cultural and event services have organized cultural activities in housing units.

Target group 6. Immigrants

Objective: Promote the integration of immigrants through art and culture.

The integration of immigrants in Riihimäki is promoted by, among other things, Riihimäki's integration services, language training at the community college, library and parish services, the Finnish Red Cross's Finnish Café, the Riksun Ukrainian Association, diverse events and free events organized by the city.