Basic Education in the Arts
Basic art education is target-oriented education that covers different art forms and progresses from one level to another. It is primarily intended for children and young people. Basic education in the arts promotes the development of the students’ relationship with art and their lifelong engagement in the arts. Teaching is provided in educational institutions for basic education in arts, outside of the comprehensive school system. The teaching is based on the principles of the national curriculum, and the teachers are trained professionals in the arts.
In basic education in the arts, students can engage in interesting art forms in their free time. The hobby provides students with different skills and they learn to express themselves through art. In addition, students gain the capacity for continuing their studies in vocational or higher education for their chosen art form. Basic education in the arts can be started as early as the age when children attend early childhood education or it can be started later.
The City of Espoo awards annual grants to communities in Espoo that provide basic education in the arts. The grants are prepared by the Cultural Unit, and the grants are awarded by the Culture Committee.
There are 18 educational institutions of basic education in the arts in Espoo. They provide education for all subjects of basic art education: architecture, fine arts, craft art, media art, music, literary art, circus art, dance, and theatre arts. The education is subject to a fee. Educational institutions may also have fee reductions and free student places available.
Music
Increase the joy in your life through a musical hobby! We provide teaching without entrance exams for all who want to learn musical skills, regardless of their age. You do not need to have any previous experience in learning music. At our school, you can study playing the piano, violin, cello, guitar, kantele, flute, accordion and drums as well as playing in a band. We also provide vocal training for children, young people and adults. Music technology and subjects on perceiving music are also included in the range of subjects. All you need is an open and lively mind.
Registration: You can apply for studies all year round with the registration form available on the school website. Students are admitted in order of registration.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Espoon keskus. Teaching is also available in Matinkylä and Tapiola.
Languages of instruction: Finnish, Swedish and English.
At Music Institute Avonia, you can study classical and rhythmic music (pop/jazz/rock) with inspiring and professional teachers. You can start your musical hobby by registering as a student via the Avonia homepage during the application period. Playing music is fun and studying music supports the creation of a good music relationship. Avonia emphasises working together and positive emotional experiences as the best ways to learn new things.
Registration: The application periods are annually as follows: 4 November–5 December for studies starting in the spring and 4 May–22 May for studies starting in the autumn. The application period starts at 9.00. Students are admitted in order of registration.
Teaching areas: The main unit of the educational institution is located in Espoon keskus. We also provide teaching in the districts of Espoonlahti, Matinkylä and Tapiola.
Languages of instruction: Finnish, Swedish, English, Spanish, Japanese, German and Dutch.
More information on fee reductions and free student places.(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish)
Musikinstitutet Kungsvägen (MIK) is the largest Swedish-language music institute in Finland; it has about 750 students and about 50 teachers. At MIK, you can participate in children’s music classes from infancy to the start of primary school after which you can learn to play different instruments or sing in different genres. You can engage in a fun hobby or pursue vocational studies in music. We have many opportunities for ensemble playing, including choirs, musical education, string and wind orchestras, pop/jazz groups, chamber music and folk music.
Registration: Registration for new students is through our website at the end of April–May. Open places in children’s music classes can be enquired about all year round.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Tapiola. Teaching is provided in the major districts of Espoon keskus, Espoonlahti, Kauklahti, Leppävaara, Matinkylä and Tapiola.
Languages of instruction: Teaching is mainly provided in Swedish.
More information on fee reductions and free student places.(external link, opens in a new window) (in Swedish)
Estrada Music and Dance School in Espoo provides basic art education in music and dance. We mainly operate in the facilities of the city, from Suur-Leppävaara to Northern Espoo, and we have our own facility in Leppävaara.
The available instruments are piano, guitar, electric guitar, violin, flute, drums, bass, saxophone, clarinet, and vocals. In addition to instrumental instruction you can select playing in a band, music perception and other supplemental courses to support your learning.
We offer dance classes in show dance, street dance, modern dance, K-pop dance, popping and breakdance.
Estrada also has intensive dance groups for those looking to be more involved in dance.
You can apply to classes by registering through the Estrada website. On the website you can also find further information about the education.
The Espoo Music Institute EMO is an internationally known art institute and the largest one in Espoo. The music guidance provided by the institute’s 100 music pedagogues is suitable for young attendees of children’s music classes, hobbyists and young people aiming for vocational studies. At EMO and in the pop-jazz programme Ebeli, you can play all acoustic and band instruments and make music through the body percussion of rhythmics. You can play together with others in bands, string quartets, folk bands, big bands or multilevel string and wind orchestras.
Registration: You can apply for instrument and vocal training in April–May through the student selection system, or you can register for instrument training groups whose places are filled in order of registration. You can apply to rhythmics and children’s music classes throughout the school year, the places are filled in order of registration. Choir auditions are held in May and August.
Teaching areas: The main unit of the educational institution is located in Tapiola. Teaching is also provided in the major districts of Espoonlahti and Matinkylä.
Languages of instruction: Finnish and English, for some instruments instruction is also available in Swedish, Russian, Polish and Italian within the framework of the teachers' language skills.
More information on fee reductions and free student places.(external link, opens in a new window)
The EMO website(external link, opens in a new window)
The Ebeli website(external link, opens in a new window)
The International School of Music Finland provides teaching pursuant to both the general and advanced music syllabus, in English and other foreign languages. There are courses for 17 different instruments. Through the school, you can complete the following internationally recognised qualifications: ABRSM, MTB and RSL.
Registration: You can apply for studies all year round. All applicants are admitted to the school.
Teaching areas: Teaching is provided in the major districts of Espoonlahti, Leppävaara and Tapiola. The main unit of the educational institution is located in Helsinki.
Languages of instruction: English, Spanish, Indonesian, Chinese, Portuguese, French, Swedish, German, Finnish, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Catalan, Croatian, Lithuanian, Serbian and Slovenian within the framework of the teachers' language skills.
The International School of Music Finland website(external link, opens in a new window)
Music Institute Juvenalia offers fun and high-quality music education in the Suur-Leppävaara area. The main teaching locations are Sello and Karatalo. At Juvenalia, you can grow surrounded by music, from babies’ music classes to vocational studies in music. Choose your own instrument and focus on subjects such as folk music or musical theatre. We also offer different kinds of training groups and choirs – here, you can play solo or in a group or both!
Registration: registration for the student selection process is at the turn of April–May, and entrance exams are held at the end of May. The student places that become available during the school year are filled with students who have remained in the queue after the student selection, which means that you may be able to start your musical hobby even in the middle of the school year. Registering for the children’s music classes is open all year round.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Leppävaara. Teaching is organised in the major districts of Leppävaara and Northern Espoo.
Language of instruction: Finnish
Information about free student places and discounts on participation fees: A free student place in children’s music classes is possible for families who have received a zero-payment decision for early childhood education. Anyone can apply for payment relief. More information about tuition fees(external link, opens in a new window).
At Music School Demo, education is open to everyone as there is no entrance exam. The focus of the education is to have fun and enjoy singing and playing music. In Espoo, Demo has 13 teaching facilities where you can practice eight different instruments as well as vocals and playing in a band. The instrument selection at Demo: accordion, kantele, guitar/electric guitar, piano, drums, electric bass, ukulele, violin. You can choose private, pair or small group teaching.
Registration: New students will be admitted in order of registration as of 2 May. You can also register with us in the middle of the school year. We do not hold entrance exams.
Teaching areas: The Music School Demo organises teaching in the major districts of Espoon keskus, Espoonlahti, Kauklahti, Leppävaara, Matinkylä and Tapiola.
Languages of instruction: Finnish and English.
The DEMO website(external link, opens in a new window)
The Jamkids website(external link, opens in a new window)
Rhythm Music School Tauko provides a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for learning vocals and instruments with others. You can start your musical hobby at any age. At Tauko, you get to decide what music means to you, from a fun hobby to goal-oriented studies. We are located in Olari, but we also provide guitar and ukulele lessons in Karakallio and marching drum lessons in Otaniemi.
Registration: New students are admitted in order of registration in January–February and August–September.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Olari. Teaching is also provided in the major districts of Leppävaara and Matinkylä.
Languages of instruction: Finnish and English.
Dance
Estrada Music and Dance School in Espoo provides basic art education in music and dance. We mainly operate in the facilities of the city, from Suur-Leppävaara to Northern Espoo, and we have our own facility in Leppävaara.
The available instruments are piano, guitar, electric guitar, violin, flute, drums, bass, saxophone, clarinet, and vocals. In addition to instrumental instruction you can select playing in a band, music perception and other supplemental courses to support your learning.
We offer dance classes in show dance, street dance, modern dance, K-pop dance, popping and breakdance.
Estrada also has intensive dance groups for those looking to be more involved in dance.
You can apply to classes by registering through the Estrada website. On the website you can also find further information about the education.
Welcome to Espoon Tanssiopisto (Espoo Dance Institute) to dance. Our teaching includes ballet, modern dance, jazz dance, character dance and tap dance. Boys aged 6–9 also have their own group.
Registration: You can register through the Espoon Tanssiopisto website. Students are admitted to the groups in order of registration. You can register all year round.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Matinkylä, Kuitinmäki. Teaching is provided in the major districts of Espoonlahti, Leppävaara, Matinkylä and Tapiola.
Languages of instruction: Finnish and English.
More information on fee reductions and free student places: You can apply for a free student place at the beginning of the autumn term. The most up-to-date information is available in the first letter of the term and on our website(external link, opens in a new window).
The Espoo Tanssiopisto website(external link, opens in a new window)
The DCA is a diverse dance school where students have the opportunity to complete dance studies of both the general and advanced syllabus of basic art education. The class selection has classes for all ages, covering a wide range of styles. Class options include show dance, hip hop, breakdance, modern dance, ballet, and locking. The dance teachers are competent, encouraging and nice.
Learn more about our classes and their content on our website and do no hesitate to try what interests you. Having zero experience with dance is no issue! Registration is done through the website.
Theatre and circus arts
Espoo School of Circus and Theatre ESKO provides basic education in circus and theatre arts. At ESKO, people learn, innovate and create new things as their unique selves. Teaching is led by competent teachers in a safe environment. The experience-oriented teaching enhances interaction skills and physical skills. The circus theatre teaching developed at ESKO gives children aged 4–11 the basic skills in both art forms. Tuition fees range from EUR 190 to EUR 270.
Registration: Registration is open all year round. Registration for the school year 2023–2024 begins on Tuesday, 30 May 2023. Students are admitted in order of registration.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Espoon keskus. Teaching is also provided in the areas of Espoonlahti, Northern Espoo, Leppävaara, Matinkylä and Tapiola.
Languages of instruction: Finnish, Swedish and English.
More information on fee reductions and free student places: Application is with a form after the registration. For more information, please contact: susanna.hintikka@esko.fi
Architecture
The School of Architecture for Children and Youth ARKKI provides architecture education for children and young people aged 4–6, 7–9, 10–14 and 15–19. The teaching emphasises learning through design and three-dimensional construction. Students are accepted in order of registration, starting in early May. Further information about the operations and registration is available on the website.
Visual arts and handicrafts
Start a visual arts hobby, learn new things and develop your creativity at Finland’s largest art school for children and young people! The Espoo School of Art provides basic education in visual arts and design for people aged 5–20. We also organise holiday courses, art workshops and visual arts clubs for school children. Our diverse selection includes professional art instruction from ceramics to street art and from game design to architecture. The facilities are located in the WeeGee building in Tapiola and in different parts of Espoo.
Registration: The application period for new students is annually in April. We also accept new students in the middle of the school year, if there is room in the groups. We recommend starting your studies at the beginning of the term in August or January. New students are accepted in the order of registration and no entrance exams are held.
Teaching areas: The main unit is located in Tapiola. We provide teaching in Espoon keskus, Espoonlahti, Northern Espoo, Kauklahti, Leppävaara and Matinkylä.
Languages of instruction: Finnish (all teaching locations), Swedish (teaching in Olari), English (teaching in Leppävaara).
More information about student fee reductions and free student places(external link, opens in a new window) or toimisto@espoonkuvis.fi, tel. +358 44 2914996
The Espoo School of Art website(external link, opens in a new window)
We offer art hobbies for children and young people aged 7–16 and art education for children aged 4–6. Here, you can complete the studies of the general syllabus of basic education in the arts. At our art school, you will learn basic skills in the field of fine arts; drawing, painting, design and construction. Engaging in an art hobby develops visual expression, teaches to interpret images and assess them critically. You will obtain skills for independent creative thinking and observation as well as plenty of artistic experiences.
Registration: Students are admitted in order of registration. Registration begins in May 2023. Students are accepted to any free places all year round.
Teaching areas: The main unit of the educational institution is located in Soukka and teaching is provided in the major district of Espoonlahti.
Languages of instruction: Finnish and English.
Literary art
Literary art classes are about reading, listening, writing, finding topics for your texts and performances, and publishing your art. The teaching emphasises experiences and spending time together. Literary art supports expression, reading and writing skills, and creative thinking. Teaching is organised in places such as Ymmersta, Tapiola and Järvenperä.
The Sanataidekoulu website(external link, opens in a new window)
Media arts
The Art and Craft School Robotti offers education in media and electronic art for children and young people. The continuous teaching groups explore the content, tools, history and present moment of electronic and media art through the students’ own works. The core elements of teaching are electronic construction, programming, new digital production and creative handicrafts. Our goal is to develop the pupils’ media technology skills and critical media literacy through art education. Teaching is organised in Espoo at the Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora.