Children's Cultural Centre Aurora - first love for culture
The Children’s Cultural Centre Aurora is an event centre for children of all ages. Aurora, which has been operating in Järvenperä, Espoo for over 20 years, has grown over the years from the Pikku-Aurora Art House to its current form that sprawls across the whole yard. Aurora's slogan is "First Love for Culture", and that is exactly what it offers for children.
Aurora’s programme is the responsibility of Production Manager Johanna Kallioaho. Her job description includes taking care of the staff, facilities, event programme and finances of the centre as well as promoting joint projects related to children’s culture between different service sectors in Espoo.
‘On the other hand, I would prefer to see myself as a prompter and an inspirer who connects and spars different groups. The goal is that we can offer our youngest residents the best we have’, she describes her role.
Art is made by children
Children are Aurora’s target group for whom the centre aims to offer well-produced children’s culture as extensively and professionally as possible. The selection ranges from performing arts and concerts to exhibitions and events. The most important thing is that the activities are done on children’s terms.
‘Children are our customers, and we want to involve them as much as possible - to make children's work and art visible. In their own house, they are allowed to be as visible as they want,’ Kallioaho says.
‘In Aurora, children get to make art. Everyone can come and try out design, crafts, or even the basics of architecture under the leadership of professional instructors,’ she adds.
Big and small events for the whole family
In addition to focusing on manual skills, it is the performances and children’s events that distinguish Aurora from other cultural spaces in Espoo. Five to six larger events are organised annually, including light art, exhibitions, and other more extensive experiences.
‘In addition to larger events, we also host a wide range of performances, theatre, concerts, clubs and art workshops that enable us to offer diverse content to the whole family and gain visibility for children's culture. Our events have been very popular with our visitors,’ Kallioaho emphasises.
‘In addition to events in Aurora, we also produce other programme in different parts of Espoo. For example, the annual Aurora Summer Tour starts again at the beginning of the summer in parks in Espoo,’ she adds.
The children’s performances are also rewarding for the artists, as according to Kallioaho, children know how to get the most out of performances, be impressed, and enjoy the experience.
‘Sometimes I notice that I’m watching the children more than the performance itself. It warms my heart how enthusiastic children are about the performers, lights and sounds,’ she describes.
Making time for culture
Although Johanna Kallioaho’s days at work are full of children’s culture, she also wants to fit other cultural offerings into her life.
‘At the end of last year, I thought that I need to start taking more time for my own cultural hobbies so that I can also get these experiences of being surprised, to get to laugh and cry with culture,’ she says.
‘And I don’t want to have any expectations. Whether it's a Valentine's Day chamber concert or an unusual theatre performance, afterwards I’m always happy that I went, even if the event wasn’t quite the genre that I usually enjoy,’ Kallioaho says.
Indeed, she encourages others, too, to try out different things culturally whenever possible. Usually they surprise you positively, or at least make some kind of an impression. Kallioaho followed her own advice when picking out her cultural tips for March.
Johanna Kallioaho's cultural tips
Children’s Museum Festival: 90’s party (15–16 March EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Exhibition Centre WeeGee, Kamu Espoo City Museum)
Children's museum festival will always have a place in my heart. I have been closely involved in the early stages of creating the event, and I am delighted that the museum festival has remained a part of the Exhibition Centre WeeGee’s programme – always with new things to do together.
Tapiola Sinfonietta: AFTER WORK 2 (14 March Espoo Cultural Centre)
I’m always interested in after work events. And it’s even better if I can listen to some catchy tunes. I gotta check it out.
Kysy Siskoilta (link in Finnish) (21 Feb – 15 March & Espoo Theatre)
I imagine that this performance offers a healthy dose of peer support and a serious twinkle in the eye.
Jonna Tervomaa (26 March Espoo Cultural Centre)
Spotting this upcoming gig took me straight to my childhood and to the Kaukajärvi sports hall in Tampere, where my peer Jonna Tervomaa performed next door to my childhood home. I got her autograph at that concert and I treasured it for a long time. Maybe I should go ask for another one...