Centre for Arts Innovation – Core Activities
We are focused on providing meaningful added value to the growing Finnish ecosystem on arts, creativity and innovation. Specifically, the Centre for Arts Innovation targets three types of core activities: training, innovation activities, and applied research.
Training
Grounded in the Oulu University of Applied Sciences’ studies in media arts, dance, music and technology, the CAI offers specific training in competencies relating to topics such as arts innovation, emerging technology use in the arts and arts entrepreneurship. Additionally, CAI is supporting the development of new Master’s level programs in Oulu and with partners internationally.
Innovation
CAI is hosting a series of events and initiatives relating to arts innovation for students, professionals and institutions including support for the City of Oulu’s new museum facility addition to the Oulu Art Museum and Science Center – Luuppi due to open in 2026.
Research
The CAI is engaged in applied research at the interface of arts and emerging technologies including the development of physical infrastructure in Oulu available to artists and researchers to experiment with and push the limits of technologies ranging from machine learning and extended reality to haptics and audio-visual staging. A critical component of this work is the development of a physical testing facility in Oulu due to begin in 2023 to support co-design work, residencies and production experimentation for Finnish and international students and professionals.
Key objectives
1.
To host and support experimental activities at the interface of live performance and emerging technologies (digital performance) in cooperation with stakeholders in the Oulu area and internationally.
2.
To offer training and competence development in the practice of digital performance.
3.
To conduct and support research on the production and participation in digital performance.
4.
To engage in network building for digital performance in Finland, in Europe, and globally.
How to start working with us
We are keen to build applied research collaborations with other institutions in Finland, Europe and beyond. Our strategic core areas for research connect with the overarching European Commission goals for sustainability, digitalization and social innovation. More specifically, we are expanding our work during 2023-2025 in these topics and how they connect with technologies such as artificial intelligence, projection mapping and motion capture. If you would like to get involved in any of our ongoing projects or would like to discuss collaborations, feel free to reach out.