Meanwhile Use spaces for culture and arts
The sixth call for applications for the cultural Meanwhile Use spaces takes place in January 2025
We will announce more details closer to the date.
The concept Meanwhile Use spaces
The Meanwhile Use spaces are vacant spaces which are released for use by cultural operators free of charge for a fixed period through an open call for applications.
The Meanwhile Use Scheme was conceived in conjunction with Tampere26, Tampere’s bid for European Capital of Culture, and has seen further development since 2021 by the City of Tampere as part of the regional cultural development project Operation Pirkanmaa.
The spaces are released free of charge for use by cultural and art operators. They may be used for working, creating and presenting works, exhibitions, implementing projects, or other open and communal cultural activities. Cultural activities (such as workshops, exhibitions and events) must be arranged for city residents in the space or as a result of its use. The sale of works, ancillary products, and refreshments is allowed as long as it is closely linked to the activities conducted in the space.
The operator will bear the responsibility for all permits and insurances related to the activities and safety in the space. Operators may apply for aid for expenses related to events depending on the target municipality of the Meanwhile Use space. In Tampere, operators can apply for aid from Project Grants for Culture. In Nokia, operators can apply for aid from Project Grants.
When making selections, we value:
- the suitability of a concept to the space
- that the concept is bound to the specific time and space
- employment and earning opportunities for artists and other cultural operators
- that the applicant is a resident of Pirkanmaa
- how interesting or unusual the content is
- the applicant’s values regarding equality and sustainability
- the value for residents (in the space or resulting indirectly from its use).
We will also pay attention to the balance between different art forms when assessing applications.
Different kinds of collectives can also apply for the spaces, but they must have one main applicant who will be responsible for the space. The requested time can also be shorter than the full usable time given in the space description.
The space descriptions include information on accessibility in the available spaces.
The sixth application period starts in January 2025.
Available spaces
Business premises at Pyynikki swimming hall
Pirkankatu 10, business space No. 3
1.10.–31.12.2024
The traditional street-level premises and basement provide opportunities for many kinds of pop-up activities. The trams sliding by the windows provide easy transport to the site.
An open day to visit the premises will not be arranged, but applicants can view the space at the street level through the window facing Pirkankatu, and there is a windowless room of the same size in the basement.
Nokia Art House’s ground floor
Souranderintie 7, Nokia
1.10.2024–31.5.2025
The Art House functioned as the city’s exhibition venue for several decades. The exhibition operations were relocated to the library and culture house Virta, which was opened in June 2020. The Art House had a trial that ended in June 2023, where the premises were provided for use in cultural and civic activities. The operators who participated in the trial found challenges regarding the building’s accessibility, organising activities and supervision for exhibitions, as well as the maximum of 30 people in the space. Entrance to the space is from street level. There is space for activities, an office room with a small walk-in closet with running water, two toilets, and a cleaning cupboard with running water.
You must ask the City of Nokia's cultural services in August for a tour of the facilities.
Contact information:
tel. 040 133 4101
[email protected]
Nokia Old High School
Kylmänojankatu 3, Nokia
1.10.2024-31.5.2024
Note! The premises can be used already in September. More detailed timetables will be agreed separately with the operators who will be chosen to occupy the premises.
Some of the vacant premises of the old high school in Nokia will be used as Meanwhile Use spaces. The large, disused classrooms are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the old high school.
There is a separate entrance to the premises. A former teachers' room with a small kitchen and toilet is shared by the operators. There are cleaning rooms on each floor.
The space is rented as it is and returned in the same condition as when it was rented.
You must ask the City of Nokia's cultural services in August for a tour of the facilities.
Contact information:
tel. 040 133 4101
[email protected]
Previously on the Meanwhile Use Scheme
VOL 0 – Meanwhile Use Pilot 2021-2022:
Bus station: Theatre Täsmäteatteri: NarttuLive (työnimi)
2022 VOL 1 – First open call for Meanwhile Use Scheme:
Kaleva industrial hall: communal workspace for visual artists and dancers: Jenni Valorinta, Jenni Eskola, Marja Hautamäki &Tiina Alazawi, Anna Värri, Lotta Halinen & Niina Rajaniemi (Body Canvas)
Market Hall booth: Tehdas 108: Kioski 108
Pyynikki swimming hall business premises: Pispala Clothing: Pispala Upstairs Downstairs
2023 VOL 2 – Second open call for Meanwhile Use Scheme:
Pyynikki swimming hall business premises: Architectural association Tampereen Arkkitehtuurikasvatus ry: Architecture workspace Tiili
Kaleva industrial hall: Sysäys Collective: Kehotus
Kaleva industrial hall: Association KRIS-Tampere ry: Kalevan hallin lauma
Hiedanranta, Lielahti Manor room 205: shadow theatre association Suomen varjoteatteriyhdistys ry.
Hiedanranta, Lielahti Manor room 205: collective Kanvas Kollektiivi ry.
Hiedanranta, Gallery Muuntotila at Lielahti Manor: Theatre Siperia: Toimisto-esitys
2023 VOL 3 – Third open call for Meanwhile Use Scheme:
Voimakatu 11: Games as Art Centre
Pyynikki swimming hall business premises: Tampere Intercultural Art (TIcA)
Hiedanranta, Gallery Muuntotila at Lielahti Manor: Essi Koivula / Linda Kuha / Tuija Touhunen & Mia Tiihonen
Hiedanranta, Lielahti Manor room 205: Heikki Kovalainen
Old upper secondary school of Nokia: Tiina Knuuttila / Nokian Näyttelijäyhdistys ry / Sanna Törmäkangas / Pasi Karppi / Mariitta Tähtinen / Risto Eerikäinen / Varhaiseläkeläiset
Nokia Art House: Ulla Ruokolainen
2024 VOL 4 – Fourth open call for Meanwhile Use Scheme:
Pyynikki swimming hall business premises (no. 5): Tampere Intercultural Art (TIcA)
Pyynikki swimming hall business premises (no. 3): ACCAC Finland - Accessible Art and Culture Association (Korean Cultural Centre)
Kaleva industrial hall: Blokgarden urban farming project
Kaleva industrial hall: Phaser Crane Collective
Hiedanranta, Lielahti Manor room 205: Wilhelmina Ojanen (1.3.-31.5.)
Hiedanranta, Lielahti Manor room 205: Minna Holopainen (1.9.-31.12.)
Hiedanranta, Gallery Muuntotila at Lielahti Manor: Kärhi working group / Ihmeryhmä
Nokia Art House: artist group TaideRemmi (Leo Harjapää, Ilmari Immonen, Kari Kaellaan, Riitta-Liisa Oulujärvi, Tomi Tähkävuori and Katriina Viitaniemi) / Jenni Eskola, Tiina Knuuttila, Kati Vaaranmaa and Steven Gourlay
Old upper secondary school of Nokia: Nokia-seura / Pirkan opisto
2024 VOL 5 – Fifth open call for Meanwhile Use Scheme:
Pyynikki swimming hall business premises (no. 3): Iiris Aholainen: Ajan kanssa - A meeting place for sustainable creativity
Nokia Art House: artist group TaideRemmi (Leo Harjapää, Ilmari Immonen, Kari Kaellaan, Riitta-Liisa Oulujärvi, Tomi Tähkävuori and Katriina Viitaniemi), exhibition and short courses and use of workspace.
Old upper secondary school of Nokia: Jenni Eskola, visual artist workspace / Vesa Kietäväinen, actor, production and rehearsal of music and theatre work / Kati Vaaranmaa and Steve Gourlay, shared workspace for visual art and yurt making / Saara Vallineva, visual artist-illustrator-writer workspace / Nokian Nästelläyhdistys ry, rehearsal space, short courses and association meetings / Marginaali working group, for designing and rehearsing a performance
* Edit on 18th of December 2024 on the timing of the application round starting in January 2025.