In English

Landscapes of
Possibilities
October 2–3, 2024

What event?

”Landscapes of Possibilities” is an annual event created to deepen our understanding of how creativity, imagination, and related endeavours contribute to well-being.

Research underscores that emphasizing creative and experiential aspects of individuals strengthens resilience, fosters inclusion, and enhances overall well-being both at the individual and societal levels.

How can we leverage these assets and cultivate our adeptness in utilising creativity, especially within the realms of social and health services, educational practices, and workplaces, including leadership? What skills must be achieved for this purpose?

When and Where?

Scheduled for October 2-3, 2024, at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Myllypuro Campus in Helsinki. The program for October 2nd will be held mostly in English. The program for October 3rd will be in Finnish except for two parallel sessions, which are held in English.

Participants are welcome to join for one or two days!

Program

The event features keynote speeches alongside parallel sessions, offering a diverse and enriching program. During the event day, you can participate in two different parallel sessions.

Registration for the workshops in parallel sessions takes place on-site.

Attendees will gain access to the latest research insights, practical applications, interdisciplinary exchanges with professionals and students from diverse fields, and an opportunity to deepen their understanding of their unique creative approaches.

Find out more about the English program offering for October 2nd:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration for parallel sessions

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Opening remarks: Creativity, imagination and resilience
Laura Huhtinen-Hildén (Ph. D., MMus., Principal Lecturer, Researcher, Head of Degree Programme)

Keynote speech: Creativity at the service of citizens and society: Examples from Finnish design history
Kaisu Savola (design historian, Doctor of Arts)

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Parallel sessions 1.

  • SingLates – a method that combines gentle Pilates exercises with vocal training. Come experience the gently flowing SingLates-workshop which aims to strengthen the connection of the body and voice. This workshop will be held in English and is led by the co-developer of SingLates (LauluLates), a singer, vocal coach, musical actress and Conscious Breathing coach Jenny Liebkind. If you are interested in this session, wear comfortable and flexible clothes and bring a water bottle.

I have performed major roles in professional theatre and toured the world as a vocal soloist for over 20 years. I have over 15 years of experience teaching singing, which has also been the basis for the development of the SingLates/LauluLates method.

  • Creative agency – In this workshop we explore the lived body as the foundation of creativity and interaction. Through movement and imagination we attune to various qualities of experience. We investigate how considering the lived body resonates with our sense of agency in the now.

Zipora Ogola and Valtteri Kiviniemi are artists and friends. They work with music, composition, songwriting and dance. Accessing the breadth of embodied experience is at the core of their creativity.

  • Moment for Meeting – Experience and explore what kinds of possibilities for presence, interaction and connection non-verbal entrainment can offer. This workshop will be held in English and is led by Eveliina Stolp (Doctor of Education):

I am a lecturer in music education at the University of Jyväskylä, interested in children’s and teachers’ agency, embodiment and interactions, and the effects of collective music-making on prosocial behaviour.

  • Approaches for Inclusive Audience Encounters – The workshop focuses on collaboratively developing visions for future audience engagement and outreach work from the standpoint of inclusion. For example musicians increasingly engage in cultural well-being initiatives and new professional skills are required for working in multidisciplinary contexts. The workshop is focused on orchestra settings and led by Dr Sanna KivijärviN.B.: During the workshop, data will be gathered for related research. Participation in the workshop is welcome even if you choose not to take part in the research.

I’m a researcher and senior lecturer based at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences where I currently oversee a transdisciplinary master’s degree programme, Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields.

Trauma healing poetry – In this session, Nemat Battah opens up about her relation to C-PTSD and how she used writing poems to process some of her thoughts and feelings during her healing journey. Nemat will share several poems that she wrote in English and in Arabic during the past years, where she explains the feelings and experiences behind each poem.

Nemat Battah is a Palestinian-Jordanian singer, oud player, composer, and educator. Nemat is currently based in Helsinki, Finland, where she is a lecturer and vice-head at Sibelius Academy’s Global Music Department.

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Parallel sessions 2.

The same workshops are available in the morning and the afternoon. Please register for both slots upon registration on-site.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Closing of the event. This session will be mainly in Finnish, but all bilingual participants are also warmly welcome. The program will be announced soon, including a panel discussion and a performance!

Find out more about the English program offering for October 3rd:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration for parallel sessions

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Opening remarks and keynote speech (will be held in Finnish)

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Parallel sessions 1.

  • Approaches for Inclusive Audience Encounters – The workshop focuses on collaboratively developing visions for future audience engagement and outreach work from the standpoint of inclusion. For example musicians increasingly engage in cultural well-being initiatives and new professional skills are required for working in multidisciplinary contexts. The workshop is focused on orchestra settings and led by Dr Sanna KivijärviN.B.: During the workshop, data will be gathered for related research. Participation in the workshop is welcome even if you choose not to take part in the research.

I’m a researcher and senior lecturer based at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences where I currently oversee a transdisciplinary master’s degree programme, Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields.

  • Trauma healing poetry – In this session, Nemat Battah opens up about her relation to C-PTSD and how she used writing poems to process some of her thoughts and feelings during her healing journey. Nemat will share several poems that she wrote in English and in Arabic during the past years, where she explains the feelings and experiences behind each poem.

Nemat Battah is a Palestinian-Jordanian singer, oud player, composer, and educator. Nemat is currently based in Helsinki, Finland, where she is a lecturer and vice-head at Sibelius Academy’s Global Music Department.

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
A self-paid lunch, which can be enjoyed at Metka Café or the Student Restaurant Sodexo on the Myllypuro Campus.

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
Parallel sessions 2.

The same workshops are available in the morning and the afternoon. Please register for both slots upon registration on-site.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Closing of the event. This session will be mainly in Finnish, but all bilingual participants are also warmly welcome. The program will be announced soon, including a panel discussion and a performance!

Schedule and registration

The event will run daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Registration is required for participation in any or all days. The event is free of charge, but registration is mandatory.

Please note: The student groups from Metropolia University (with the event included in their curriculum) do not need to register separately; participation is included in their regular course enrollment.

Organizer, venue and accessibility

Organizer

The event is organized by the Cultural Wellbeing Research and Education Centre (CuWeRE), a collaborative venture between Metropolia UAS and the University of Jyväskylä. CuWeRE endeavors to disseminate researched knowledge and practical applications for integrating creativity more consciously into various work practices and communities, with the aim of bolstering resilience and holistic well-being in society.

Venue and accessibility

The event will be hosted at the Myllypuro Campus of Metropolia UAS, located at Myllypurontie 1, Helsinki. The campus is accessible via public transportation, with the metro station adjacent to the campus. Further information regarding transportation and accessibility can be found on the campus website.

Principles of a safer and inclusive space

We are committed to upholding principles of a safe and inclusive space throughout the event.
If you notice something contrary to this at the event, please contact the event’s harassment contact person.

Communality: We are all responsible for a safer space. We praise, encourage and respect. We make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and be heard.

Respect: We remember that we cannot know someone’s nationality, gender, sexuality, religion, values ​​or background unless they tell us about it. We respect everyone’s right to self-determination and diversity.

Openness: Every encounter is an opportunity to learn and develop. We give room for discussion, we listen and we are also open to different opinions. 

Giving space: We respect each other’s physical and psychological space and the right to define one’s boundaries. Listen and change your behavior if someone tells you that your behavior makes them feel uncomfortable.

Intervention: We identify and intervene in discrimination, harassment and inappropriate treatment. We will not remain mere bystanders.

Listening and learning: Making mistakes and asking questions is allowed. You don’t need to know or know everything already. Accept the feedback you receive and change your actions if necessary. Apologize if you hurt others intentionally or unintentionally.

Intervening in situations at the event:

A harassment contact person is present at the event. We also collect feedback about the event anonymously afterwards.

A harassment contact person: Mira Haataja