“The decision to select Niki Matheson emphasised her strong experience in administrative and management duties in the culture sector and in-depth understanding of dance as substance. In both her career history and the selection process, she has proved to be capable of bringing together different interests and managing the big picture. The Board is very happy to have Niki lead Tanssin talo in this critical phase: building the operating model of Tanssin talo with the principle of representing all dance, committing partners and reinforcing the financing base together with the team and the Board,” says Tuuli Kousa, Chairperson of the Tanssin talo ry Board.

“Tanssin talo is a unique project and a significant cultural act. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to join the Tanssin talo team. Tanssin talo is a service organisation with the mission of bringing together dance and audiences, and I’m expecting that I can, together with different players in the field, bring dance in all its diverse forms to as wide an audience as possible,” says Matheson.

Niki Matheson (b. 1967) is an experienced arts, culture, and event industry administration and production professional who has spent a major portion of her career as the latest Administrative Director of the Helsinki Festival, the largest arts festival in Finland, 2007–2019. She has accumulated experience with dance from dance groups (e.g. the Helsinki City Theatre dance group, Emio Greco | PC, Skånes Dansteater) and dance festivals (incl. URB, the Kuopio Dance Festival, Moving in November, Helsinki Tanssiareena). Matheson has studied choreography and has a degree in performing arts production from Helsinki Theatre Academy.

To be opened in early 2022, Tanssin talo is being built in connection with Cable Factory in Ruoholahti, Helsinki. The construction project is funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the City of Helsinki, the Ministry of Education and Culture and Kiinteistö Oy Kaapelitalo.

For additional information, please contact:

Tuuli Kousa, Chairperson of the Board, Tanssin talo ry
tel. +358 (0)50 5437374