Art teachers’ jobs and course coverage are at stake.
Annantalo, a children’s cultural centre in Helsinki, announced this week a plan to reduce the number of art teachers.
Under the plan, temporary contracts for art teachers that expire this spring would not be extended. Some would have their contracts made permanent and become full-time. In total, only 12 art teachers would continue their contracts, instead of 42.
– The Annantalo plan jeopardises the much-loved art centre’s teaching, which makes extensive use of artists. At the same time, up to thirty people are set to lose their jobs, criticised Akava’s Special Sectors and its member organisation TAKU, the Arts and Culture Trade Union, in a press release.
– Several employees who have worked at Annantalo for a long time are at risk of losing their jobs. We hope the city of Helsinki will explore all possibilities to offer them a similar job as an art teacher or art educator elsewhere, says Zibellini.
TAKU, the professional organization in the art and culture sector, points out that Annantalo’s proposal rejects the idea of \u200b\u200ba part-time teaching staff, which has been used to provide a very versatile teaching.
With the change, Annantalo plans to reduce evening art classes and start offering shorter visual art courses for children and young people.