PRESS RELEASE 23.4.2005
Magneetti Contemporary Art and Media Culture Center aims to shake up and enliven the cultural life of Rovaniemi and the North.
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Magneetti is a project which has been set up to create a new center for contemporary art and media culture in the city of Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland. Magneetti will offer an exciting new space for the organization of various media culture and contemporary art events. It aims to create a dynamic environment for cultural consumers by developing creative activities and supporting artists. Additionally, Magneetti intends to raise the cultural profile of Rovaniemi by attracting media-culture professionals, artists and cultural consumers to the region.

Magneetti will offer a new location where artists will be able to congregate and exhibit their work. It will provide working and studio spaces and act as a meeting point for artists and audiences. Cultural activities will include festivals, exhibitions, seminars, workshops, live performances, international artist residencies and a café/bar. It will act as a focal point for new ideas, interdisciplinerary artforms, critical engagement and artistic collaboration.

In Lapland there is considerable expertise and creativity, as well as an established culture of media-based activities. Magneetti will create new opportunities for artists and media professionals in the area. Its aim is to promote international cooperation among northern artists and to create an active network of contemporary art and media-culture actors in Lapland and the Barents area. Magneetti intends to present and develop challenging, high-quality contemporary and media art which is grounded in internationality and professionalism.

Magneetti will act as a creative hub where the artists and cultural producers will be able to network and collaborate. At the same time it is committed to the development of the cultural, tourism, and experience industries in the North.

Media artists Minna Rainio & Mark Roberts and documentary director Jetta Huttunen are responsible for the project concept and planning. The first stage of the project will begin with a planning phase in 2005-2006. This phase will comprise of establishing the organisation, locating a space and creating a coopertion network which will be the basis of future activites.

The Northern Media Culture Association Magneetti has been set up to promote, plan and establish the project. The cooperation partners Magneetti are The Regional Council Of Lapland, Lapland Center of Expertise for the Experience Industry, University of Lapland, Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic, Rovaniemi City Culture Office and Rovaniemi Art Museum.