ITE art is Finnish contemporary folk art

The acronym ITE comes from the Finnish ‘itse tehty elämä’, i.e. ‘self-made life’. ITE is art that is dependent on its maker’s environment and experience. It is a way to live a good life that emphasises aesthetic values.

What is ITE art? The Association’s arts activities

ITE – art and life

Our website provides information about current ITE art surveys, events, news and the ITE Art Collection of the Association for Rural Culture and Education. You will also get a concise overview of the work we have carried out to promote ITE art over the past couple of decades. This is self-made life!

ITE art surveys

The Association for Rural Culture and Education has surveyed ITE art in different parts of Finland, province by province, since the late 1990s. Almost the entire country has been surveyed. In their longevity, the Association’s efforts to survey and record visual contemporary folk art are unique.

ITE art surveys ›

ITE Art Collection

We have been compiling the collection of Finnish contemporary folk art for years. It features works of art, photographs and video recordings, information about artists and art environments, as well as publications. We use the ‘Collecte’ archive database and maintain the ITEnet website. We will also join the Finna.fi nationwide search service in 2021.

ITE collection ›

The 2022 Bear Festival

The eighth Bear Festival in Ilomantsi will be held from Friday to Sunday, 13–15 August 2021. The title of the 2021 international wood sculpting competition, organised by the Association for Rural Culture and Education, is ‘Bear and Cub’. Sculptors will be asked to work on the themes of responsibility and sustainable development in the chain of generations.

The Bear Festival ›

ITE Artist of the Year 2023: Alpo Koivumäki

The Association for Rural Culture and Education has named Alpo Koivumäki the 2023 ITE Artist of the Year.

Contact us

Do you need background information about ITE art, artists, art environments, surveys, collections, publications, international networks or the 20 years of ITE activities? Would you like to collaborate with us? At the Association for Rural Culture and Education, ITE art content is directed by Helka Ketonen, the Director for Cultural Affairs and coordinated by Raija Kallioinen, the Coordinator for Cultural Affairs.

Helka Ketonen

Director for Cultural Affairs

+358 403 577 662 helka.ketonen@msl.fi Lue lisää henkilöstä

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Raija Kallioinen

Coordinator for Cultural Affairs

+358 40 563 6876 raija.kallioinen@msl.fi Lue lisää henkilöstä

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