Grants from the Kordelin Foundation’s Rauma Fund for 2026 Awarded – Emphasis on Local Roots and New Experiments
News
The Alfred Kordelin Foundation’s Rauma Fund has distributed its 2026 culture and art grants. A total of €30,000 was granted to three recipients: puppet theatre artist Aati Hanikka, Rauman Konserttiyhdistys ry, and Tarvonsaari Art House. Each grant amounts to €10,000.
The renewed city fund grants of the Kordelin Foundation, introduced at the beginning of 2026, support projects that promote local arts and culture, strengthen the common good, and create new forms of collaboration. This year’s funding decisions particularly emphasized locally rooted projects and support for the operating conditions of arts and culture.
The grants were open for applications throughout January, during which a total of 18 applications were received. The proposals for grant recipients were prepared by the Rauma Fund’s committee, and the final decisions were made by the board of the Alfred Kordelin Foundation in early April.
Support for New and Experimental Arts and Culture Projects
Grant funding was awarded to Rauma-born puppet theatre artist Aati Hanikka for the production of the performance Vajoama. The project, to be carried out in Rauma, develops a new kind of underwater performance concept that transcends traditional artistic boundaries and creates a new form of interdisciplinary performance language. The work will be experienced at the Rauma Swimming Hall in spring 2027.
Rauman Konserttiyhdistys ry received a grant to further develop the performance Mennäs sitt – a Sounding Story Walk into a multi-year and flexible concept. Premiering as part of the Rauma Lace Week programme, the project opens up the environments of Old Rauma through stories and musical encounters. The performance is created by a working group of artists with roots in Rauma.
Grants were also awarded to support the launch of pilot exhibition projects at Tarvonsaari Art House. The funding will enable two exhibitions open to the public, bringing artists together and laying the foundation for long-term activity. The exhibitions lower the threshold for engaging with art and enrich Rauma’s cultural offerings. The project is implemented by the Yht’äkkii working group (Kallo Works Osuuskunta).
The Alfred Kordelin Foundation is a private, non-profit grant-making foundation that distributes more than €6 million annually in grants and awards. The Rauma Fund is one of seventeen city and special-purpose funds of the Alfred Kordelin Foundation.
