Art Centre Into

Taidekeskus Into(Art centre Into) is an outsider arts association in the region ofTurku,Finland. Into was established in 2009 to promote outsider arts in the region and enhance the possibilities for art activites for people with special needs.

Into organises exhibitions, produces community arts, mentors art students and maintains a collection of currently more than 200 pieces of outsider arts in its own gallery. The actual arts classes are held in Turun suomenkielinen työväenopisto (Turkuadult education centre).

Into belongs to national networks and is interested in networking in the international field of outsider arts as well. Two of Into's artists, Tiina Elina Nurminen and Jouni Soini, were chosen to participate in Revealing the Human exhibition inAustraliain 2009. Into's members have sought good practices and examples for example by visits to Herenplaats in theNetherlandsand Gaia Museum Outsider Art inDenmark.

Integrating students with special needs with other art students is a part of Into's activities. In 2017 Into's integrated community arts group created a 30 m² wall mosaic called "Luomiskertomus" (Creation Story) to a centre for people with intellectual disabilities. In January 2018 Into was invited to organise an exhibition in Art Kaarisilta Gallery inHelsinki, where Into artists' works were exhibited under the title "Viidakossa tarkkaillaan" (Eyes in the jungle).

See the Creation story mosaic:

Over the years Into has spread knowledge on outsider arts inTurkuregion. Into is now aiming to find resources for establishing a permanent centre that provides courses and activities on a full-time basis. At the moment Into's activities are based on voluntary work and work placement.

Into's values: right for participation, right for self-expression, support for wellbeing, ethics in teaching people with special needs.