The program involves training individuals with immigrant backgrounds to become cultural guides who can introduce the museum’s exhibitions in their native languages. The goal is to make art and museum visits accessible experiences for everyone while strengthening community spirit and intercultural dialogue.
“Cultural guides enrich museum visits by offering the opportunity to experience art in various languages, enhancing community spirit and increasing intercultural understanding. We believe this program will make museum visits inspiring and meaningful experiences for everyone in Oulu and visitors to our city, regardless of their language or cultural background,” explains Satu Larivaara-Heikkala, Curator of education at the Oulu Art Museum.
Cultural guides exploring the exhibition.
The Cultural Guide program is implemented in cooperation with Vuolle Setlementti, a non-profit organization based in Oulu that has provided and developed multicultural services and education in the area for over 20 years. The Oulu Art Museum aims to bring art closer to people and encourage locals to engage with and participate in art. Vuolle Setlementti views this collaboration as a natural continuation of its mission to promote multicultural community building.
“Both Vuolle and the art museum share values of community, participation, and cultural exchange, making this collaboration natural. Together, we aim to strengthen intercultural dialogue and broaden access to art and culture for everyone,” says Noora Dahmane, Communications and Marketing Manager at Vuolle Setlementti.
The Cultural Guide program also supports the ”cultural climate change” initiative of the Oulu2026 program, which seeks to enrich the cultural life of Oulu permanently. Its goals include creating connections, bringing joy, and broadening perspectives and ways to understand and listen to each other.
The first multilingual exhibition tours will take place during the AlakkoNää abstraktia? exhibition on Saturday, May 10th, and 17th, from 12 pm to 4 pm. On these dates, exhibition tours will be offered in the following languages: Chinese, Ukrainian, Japanese, Persian (May 10), as well as Filipino, French, Spanish, and Sri Lankan (May 17).
Trained cultural guides are also available for exhibition tours in Hindi, Turkish, Korean, Nepali, and Kazakh languages and can be booked for private tours via the Art Museum’s information desk.
Multilanguage Art Tours in events calendar.
More info:
Satu Larivaara-Heikkala
Curator of education
Oulu Art Museum
satu.larivaara-heikkala@ouka.fi
p. +358 44 703 7477
Noora Dahmane
Communications and Marketing Manager
Vuolle Setlementti
noora.dahmane@vuolleoulu.fi
p. +358 50 571 5023