Oamk’s Arts Innovation Research Program plays a key role in Oulu2026 initiatives

Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk) is actively involved in the preparations and is working alongside regional stakeholders and international partners to ensure the success of the year. The Arts Innovation research program is playing a central role in these efforts.

“Through the Hybrid Producer 2026 project, we are enhancing the skills and networking opportunities of event producers in the region, as well as addressing the need for a skilled workforce,” says Heidi Ålander, Project Manager for the Arts Innovation research program.

The year 2026 is expected to be an exceptionally busy year for events in the Oulu region, which will create significant demand for professional event production skills in the coming years. The Hybrid Producer 2026 project, a joint effort by Oamk’s Arts Innovation research program and the Oulu Cultural Foundation, aims to develop supplementary training for event production in the region and to expand educational offerings.

“We offer participants in our programs the opportunity to develop their business skills, entrepreneurial abilities, and digital competencies. Additionally, they will have the chance to participate in internships related to Oulu’s year as the European Capital of Culture,” Ålander explains.

The AVARA art&tech events, on the other hand, bring together professionals and students from the arts and creative industries who are interested in the possibilities that digitalization offers for creative work.

“This two-day event, held annually in conjunction with the LUMO Light Festival, features talks, panel discussions, workshops, co-creation sessions, and presentations on the subject. The event highlights international examples, practices, and innovations from the fields of art and technology. By 2026, the event will expand into a major international conference,” says Julia Heikkinen, Project Manager for the Arts Innovation research program.

The event is organized by the Arts Innovation research program in collaboration with its network of partners.

By 2026, Oulu will also establish a completely new experimental space, AVARA testbed / S+T+Arts Lab Oulu, which will support experiments, performances, and research that combine art and technology.

“Oulu has so far lacked a space where students and researchers can test new ideas for integrating technology into art productions. With this space, Oulu will also gain a platform for new experimental art performances,” says Blair Stevenson, Senior Lecturer at the Arts Innovation research program.

“The Arts Innovation research program is strongly committed to ensuring the success of the Oulu2026 year. Our role is particularly significant as a producer of expertise and as a developer of the art and technology ecosystem,” Stevenson concludes.

For more information:

Blair Stevenson, Senior Lecturer, Innovations in Art Research Program, Oulu University of Applied Sciences
blair.stevenson@oamk.fi

Heidi Ålander, Project Manager, Innovations in Art Research Program, Oulu University of Applied Sciences
heidi.alander@oamk.fi

Julia Heikkinen, Project Manager, Innovations in Art Research Program, Oulu University of Applied Sciences
julia.heikkinen@oamk.fi

Visit the Arts Innovation Research Program’s website for more information.