Finnish Academy of Fine Arts

The University of the Arts Helsinki launched on 1 January 2013 when the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy, and Theatre Academy Helsinki merged. The need for an arts university had been under discussion for a long time. As early as the 1980s, the Pasila Project included a plan to build a new complex in Pasila, Helsinki, for Sibelius Academy, the University of Art and Design Helsinki, and Theatre Academy Helsinki. The merger of the arts universities was topical all through the 2000s. The three academies of the University of the Arts Helsinki are active in various networks in their own fields. This solid basis offers possibilities for new forms of interdisciplinary activities and development of the University of the Arts as a whole. Internationalization is a strategic priority of the university and can be seen in every aspect of university’s main operations – in education, artistic activity and research. Artistic activities, instruction and internationality are closely intertwined at the University of the Arts Helsinki. Internationalization is first and foremost a tool for developing the content of the main operations. International activities are organized in each academy and academic field.