Caption: In the Kortteeri project workshop in autumn 2020, ideas were generated for artists' workspaces in the property located at Jämintie 2.

The operations of the Kankaanpää Art School campus of Satakunta University of Applied Sciences will expand to new premises in the center of Kankaanpää, when the property located in the city center will be transformed into working spaces for fine arts students.

The result of long-term development work

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, visual arts education in Kankaanpää has been an important part of the city since its founding. In recent years, SAMK has invested in developing visual arts education and increasing the number of study places on campus.

-We see an increased need for versatile working spaces that support students' opportunities for innovative work that advances their studies. Cooperation with the city of Kankaanpää has played an important role in finding new opportunities in art education as well as in developing the vitality of the area, states the competence area director Tiina Savola.

Developing workspaces as part of the city center

The City of Kankaanpää and SAMK have signed a lease agreement for the property at Jämintie 2 for use as a workspace. The building's location near the market square and in the middle of the cultural quarter also provides opportunities for a variety of further development.

-The property in question has been underutilized for several years and now that SAMK is starting operations, the building is coming back to life. The empty building in the middle of the village has increased some vandalism in the area and we expect that the active use of the building will change the situation. Cooperation with SAMK has always been smooth and this joint project shows that the same direction will continue, says the technical director of the city of Kankaanpää Pentti Saloniemi.

SAMK Kankaanpää Art School's learning environments are at a good level

The main campus's functionality as an art teaching space is familiar to Kankaanpää. The additional investment in workspaces now also provides additional opportunities for teaching.

– The studio is the artist’s workplace. Professional activity in the visual arts involves focusing on one’s own creative process. It is good for an artist to be able to try out their own workspace and a room with a door that they can close themselves while they are still studying. The facilities improve the transition to the field of art, especially for students who are in the thesis phase. We named the workspace the Tarna House to honor Juhani Tarna, the other founder of the Art School, concludes the Head of Education Matti the Wizard.

Photo: Tomi Kuusimäki / SAMK