For our alumni
For businesses and communities
Our partners and networks

For our alumni 

Through alumni activities, the Faculty of Art and Design supports networking and communication among its former students. We organise events for alumni to meet and stay in touch, including alumni exhibitions and seminars. In addition, the University of Lapland hosts joint alumni activities.

Join the alumni activities

Welcome to the University of Lapland’s alumni activities! Stay in touch with your old university, fellow students and teachers. Develop your skills and network with other alumni.

We appreciate your experience and expertise, and we would be glad to utilise it in our teaching and research. We offer further and additional training to support your professional growth. The alumni network allows you to learn about the university’s news, events and training.

The Faculty of Art and Design has also an alumni association: TAO Alumni Association.

Explore alumni activities
TAO Alumni Association

For local businesses and communities

Do you need a development and testing environment for a new operating model or tools for testing prototypes? Take a look at the versatile design and art laboratories of the faculty to develop your company.

Discover our design labs
Other cooperation possibilities at the University of Lapland

Partners and networks

International networks

Arctic Sustainable Arts And Design Network

The network organises an annual Relate North seminar and publication, as well as development projects in education and research. Maria Huhmarniemi serves as the director of the network.

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a scientific and educational community for computing, promoting both the science and profession of computing. ACM brings together researchers, educators and professionals, organises conferences and provides a digital library. Contact person: Jonna Häkkilä.

Cumulus

Cumulus | Global Association of Art and Design Education promotes internationalisation and global mobility, the exchange of knowledge and collaboration in art and design pedagogy, research and practice. Contact person: Heidi Pietarinen.

European Textile Network (ETN)

The network brings together cultural producers (such as artists, designers, craftspersons and authors), heritage and education organisations (museums, archives, libraries, universities), teachers, researchers, and textile enthusiasts. The network promotes the exchange of knowledge and experiences, encourages collaboration on projects and organises meetings. Contact person: Ritva Jääskeläinen.

InSEA

The International Society for Education Through Art brings together art educators and promotes the accessibility of art education.

Society for Artistic Research

The Society for Artistic Research (SAR) supports artistic research by promoting best practices, knowledge sharing and international collaboration. It maintains the Journal for Artistic Research (JAR), the Research Catalogue (RC) and organises annual international conferences on methods and outcomes in artistic research. SAR provides its members with networking opportunities and resources. Contact person: Jaana Erkkilä-Hill.

National networks

Kuvis ry

The Visual Arts Teachers Association (KUVIS ry) is a professional community for visual arts education in Finland. Contact person: Mari Mäkitalo-Aho.

Bioart Society

The Bioart Society works at the intersection of art, science and society.

The Ob­ser­va­tory for Arts and Cul­tural Ed­u­ca­tion, Fin­land

The observatory reinforces the equal accessibility and effectiveness of arts and cultural education and improves the social status and appreciation of the field in Finland.

The Finnish Textile and Fashion

The Finnish Textile and Fashion is the central organisation for textile, clothing and fashion companies in Finland. They promote the Finnish textile and fashion industry.

Finnish Book Art Committee

The Finnish Book Art Committee draws attention to the book as an artistic whole.

Regional partners

Artists' Association of Lapland

The association presents and promotes contemporary art made in Lapland and arranges exhibitions in Finland and abroad.

Rovaniemi Art Museum

Rovaniemi Art Museum has been awarded the position of a museum with regional responsibility.

Taito Lapland Crafts Association

The association operates in the Lapland region, offering craft experiences and expertise in handicrafts.

Editorial Boards and Advisory Councils

Ainedidaktiikka journal

Research examining the teaching, study and learning of various disciplines, as well as the nature of these disciplines at all levels of education in Finland. Mirja Hiltunen serves as a member of the advisory board.

Ruukku

Ruukku is a multidisciplinary, multilingual, peer-reviewed periodical in artistic research, using a publishing platform that enables multimedia publication. Mari Mäkiranta serves as a member of the advisory board.

Research in Arts and Education

Research on the practices of art and design, as well as on themes of criticism, pedagogy, curriculum and teaching.
Last updated: 12.9.2025