Laajasalo Foundation Steps In to Preserve Voionmaa Folk Institute's Arts and Psychology Programmes

A business transfer agreement signed on Wednesday will see Laajasalo Opisto Foundation take over the Tampere-based Voionmaa Folk Institute, preserving key arts and psychology programmes and staff, YLE reports.

The handover is scheduled to take place on 1 July; the institute currently employs four people. The deal covers the film and television programme, the acting and directing track, the psychology programme and the rap music course, and the teaching staff attached to them. Sasky announced in September that it planned to close Voionmaa after the current academic year because of financial difficulties, and Laajasalo and institutes in South Ostrobothnia soon expressed interest in continuing the courses.

According to Tamperelainen, Laajasalo Opisto is based in Helsinki and is led by principal Janne Virtanen. Virtanen says Voionmaa will keep its name and continue operating in Tampere, although the premises will change. He adds that the foundation’s priority is to develop the existing programmes and expand offerings over time.

Tamperelainen further states that Virtanen began teaching film at Laajasalo about five years ago and became principal last October after Juha Matti Holopainen retired; Virtanen is also known for his acting role in the TV series Uusi päivä.

Voionmaa has long offered studies in rap music, film and multimedia journalism and operated for years in Ylöjärvi before moving to Tampere University’s central campus. Student numbers have fallen sharply: 99 students completed their studies at the institute in 2024–25, but only 55 were accepted for the current academic year.