Work Life Awards
TAKU presents its annual Arts and Culture Work Life Awards to recognise outstanding professionals and collectives in the field – those who are uncompromising in their work, drive renewal, or have otherwise made significant contributions to the arts and culture sector.
The awards also recognise efforts to raise awareness of professional expertise in the arts and culture sector and to promote responsibility in working life and society.
The awards are presented annually in two categories: Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year and Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year. The recipients are selected by a rotating jury consisting of members of TAKU’s board. The selections are made from nominations submitted freely by the public.
The Trade Union for Professionals in Arts and Culture TAKU has presented the Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year award and the Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year honorary recognition since 2019. Representing 3,500 arts and culture professionals, TAKU is a member organisation of Akava and Akava Special Branches.
Award recipients 2019–2025
2025 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Sanni Virta, Executive Director and Cultural Producer
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
Kertomuksia Gazasta (Stories from Gaza) campaign
Read the news article 2025 here.
2024 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Tommi Muhli, Cultural Producer
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
Musamimmien päivä (Music Girls’ Day)
Read the news article 2024 here.
2023 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Pilvi Kuitu, Executive Director, PiiPoo Cultural Centre
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
Kunnan Pojat Orchestra, Rovaniemi
Read the news article 2023 here.
2022 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Kaisa Paavolainen, CEO, Theatre Info Finland (Suomen Teatterit)
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
Artists at Risk (AR)
Read the news article 2022 here.
2021 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Arja Huotari, Head of Cultural Services, City of Oulu
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
Mitta on täysi (Enough is Enough) demonstration, working group
Arts and Culture Employer of the Year
UrbanApa
2020 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Rosa Meriläinen, Secretary General, KULTA – Central Organisation for Finnish Culture and Arts
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
The honorary recognition was awarded to the entire sector, which demonstrated its creativity and professional ability to adapt and renew itself during an exceptional year of pandemic.
Arts and Culture Employer of the Year
Joensuun Popmuusikot ry / Ilosaarirock
2019 Award recipients
Arts and Culture Champion Professional of the Year
Maiju Talvisto, Head of Artist Production, Flow Festival
Arts and Culture Champion Act of the Year
Taidetestaajat (Art Testers) programme
Arts and Culture Employer of the Year
Yhdenvertaisen kulttuurin puolesta ry / Culture for All Service