The school is maintained by the Support Association of the Free Art School (Vapaan Taidekoulun kannatusyhdistys ry), which has 78 individual members, mainly artists and other cultural professionals. The association was founded in 1952.
Jyri Sarpaniemi, Chair
Sophia Ehrnrooth
Mona Hoel
Max Mickelsson
Petr Rehor
Petri Saarikko
Seppo Seitsalo
Tuomas Aitamurto, painter
Örjan Andersson
Ilona Anhava, gallerist
Markku Arantila, painter
Enoch Bergsten, visual artist
Severi Blomstedt, architect
Anna Brunow, architect
Erik Creutziger, painter
Tarja Djateu
Elina Försti, painter
Anna Gullichsen
Frida Gullichsen, Arts Producer, MA Arts Management
Kirsi Gullichsen, architect
Siiri Haarla, visual artist
Henri Hagman, painter
Tarmo Hakala, painter
Emilia Hakkarainen, visual artist
Pekka Hepoluhta, painter
Mona Hoel, visual artist
Paula Holopainen, painter
Helena Hyyryläinen, textile artist
Eveliina Hämäläinen, MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
Canal Cheong Jagerroos, visual artist
Katriina Jauhola-Seitsalo, architect
Minerva Karoliina Krohn, doctor
Leena Kuumola, art critic
Mikaela Lostedt, managing Director
Anna Makovecz, visual artist
Max Mickelsson, MSocSc, Senior Advisor (public affairs)
Anna Miettinen, MSc (Tech), Cultural Producer (UAS)
Miisa Mäkeläinen, painter
Teemu Mäki, visual artist, writer, director (theatre/opera/film), researcher (Doctor of Fine Arts)
Tiina Nevanperä, visual artist, Doctor of Arts, solution-focused art therapist
Thomas Nyqvist, visual artist
Sara Orava, visual artist
Paul Osipow, painter
Mikko Erkki Paakkola, painter
Juhani Pallasmaa, architect, professor emeritus, writer
Kimi Pakarinen, painter
Paula Puoskari, painter, visual artist
Matti Rantanen, painter
Silja Rantanen, visual artist, DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts)
Eeva-Liisa Rautalahti, architect, visual artist
Petr Rehor, painter
Anna Retulainen, painter
Sirkku Rosi, painter
Janne Räisänen, painter
Pauliina Saares, enior Communications Specialist, Founding Partner
Kristo Saarikoski, painter
Stiina Ulriikka Saaristo, visual artist
Jyri Sarpaniemi, lawyer, Master of Laws with court training, art collector
Seppo Seitsalo, professor, emeritus chief physician at Orton
Johanna Sipilä, painter, visual artist
Erik Söderblom, theatre and opera director
Anna Tahkola, MFA, visual artist
Raili Tang, painter
Juha-Heikki Tihinen, curator and art historian
Rose-Mari Torpo, painter, visual artist
Silja Uuttula, painter, visual artist
Timo Valjakka, art critic
Markku Valkonen, art critic, art historian
Reijo Viljanen, painter
Senja Vellonen, painter
Susanna Vuorio, painter
Magdalena Åberg, visual artist
The association has 78 individual members (as of January 13th, 2026). The names listed on this page belong to members who have given permission for publication.
The association charges an annual membership fee, the amount of which is decided by the association's annual meeting. In 2025, the membership fee is 20 €.
Bylaws of the Support Association for the Free Art School (registered association)
