Tuula Arkio, Director-General of the National Gallery, says that a coordinator for cultural minorities is needed to make museums more welcoming to foreigners. Future prospects include different kinds of multicultural co-operation projects.
"There is a clear demand for tolerance and multiculturalism, but not much has been done about it. Museums have a big responsibility as public cultural institutions. They should open views in both directions."
According to Arkio, the Ateneum's art collection reflects Finnish cultural history, but for example the Sinebrychoff Museum and especially Kiasma - the Museum of Contemporary Art - are very international by nature.
"Finns need to adjust their attitudes in the multicultural direction. That is why we appealed to the Ministry of Education to fund a coordinator of cultural minorities for two years. After that, we will see where we stand."
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 5.11.2005
