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Loviisa continues the use of the culture note – free of charge art hobby for children and youths

The City of Loviisa continues to offer the culture note. Children and youths within primary and lower secondary education can apply for the note for the academic year 2026–2027 and participate in an art hobby without participation fee for an entire academic year.

Picture: Teatteri Soittorasia

The culture note is aimed at children and youths who are unable to participate in art activities primarily due to economic reasons. The note gives a free of charge pupil place within basic education in arts, i.e. visual arts, dance, music, handicrafts or theatre.

– No one needs to abstain from an art hobby due to economic reasons, says Coordinator of the cultural path Johanna Lönnfors. 
– Studies clearly show that an art hobby strengthens the self-esteem, well-being and ability for empathy among children and youths, and at the same time it supports the shaping of the identity, of creativity and of self-expression.

The activities further build upon the earlier SKAPA culture notes, which during three years’ time have been offered to pupils in Loviisa, Lapinjärvi and Pyhtää in a project supported by the Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland. As the project is terminated in the spring of 2026 the City of Loviisa takes over and integrates the culture note in the regular cultural services of the city.  

– Experiences from SKAPA also show the concrete difference a hobby can make. We are seeing strengthened self-esteem, new togetherness and a greater feeling of involvement, states Johanna Lönnfors.

By means of the culture note the pupil is given a free of charge pupil place in a freely selectable art subject –­ visual arts, dance, handicrafts, music or theatre. The teaching is given by local art institutes: the music institute of the Porvoo region, the art school of Loviisa, the dance school of Taidetehdas and Teatteri Soittorasia. Applications can be submitted as of 8 am on 1st of April 2026 until 4 pm on 1st of June 2026.

Link to the application form

Decisions of granted culture notes are informed of by email at the latest in the midsummer week. 

Kindly note that the application for culture notes are done separately from the application for pupil place at the art institutes.

Facts: The culture note

  • Aimed at children and youths in primary and lower secondary education in Loviisa 
  • Entitles to a free of charge pupil place within basic education of arts 
  • Valid for an entire academic year (2026–2027)
  • Can be used for visual arts, dance, handicrafts, music or theatre 
  • Is granted upon application and according to discretion of needs 
  • Application and pupil admission to art institutes are done separately 

Further information: City of Loviisa, Coordinator of the cultural path Johanna M. Lönnfors, tel. 040 663 57 32, johanna.m.lonnfors@loviisa.fi