My Oulu: Art is a way to understand

Everybody is on a journey. The fun part is finding people along the way that can help us understand, discover and enjoy the adventure.

From January to May 2026, You Belong Here Adventures brought people 15–29 years old from different parts of Oulu together by attending art and culture events. After visiting the art exhibition or watching the performance, participants gathered to discuss the artworks, the experience, and how it related to various important topics in life such as cultural identity, belonging, fear and freedom.

The adventurers may not have known each other, and that can be a bit daunting for some, yet curiosity pulled them to try something new. The bravery and vulnerability for the group to share perspectives and to listen deeply to one another has proven to be so valuable as this is essential when developing antiracist skills.

The goal of Oulu for All project is to identify, prevent, and combat racism in all its forms, support victims of racism, and increase interaction and trust among different population groups in Oulu. One aspect of the project is dedicated to giving antiracism awareness and tools to youth and young adults.

Since each of us is unique and we have different ways of understanding things and expressing ourselves, the “You Belong Here” antiracism campaign is very diverse and offers a variety of ways to get involved. You Belong Here Adventures is a part of the campaign and it is done in collaboration with Oulu 2026’s Culture Companion2026 programme.

Art gives the possibility to self-reflect, to open dialogue, and to reach emotions and concepts that would be otherwise hard to reach. Different art mediums can also trigger or raise a myriad of reactions.

For this reason, You Belong Here Adventures was curated in a way that brought youth and young adults to a dance performance, the theatre, and an art museum. Not only did we explore various topics and have meaningful conversations, we also got to know ourselves and found tools for self-expression.

Let’s go on an adventure!

Developing the group discussion with the three art events was different every time. In February we had our first adventure to watch S.I.E.L.L.Ä, the culmination of the Xulu202x project and its final performance.

Collaborating with dance artist and choreographer Julian Owusu on how to approach the group discussion was enlightening as it also shared core concepts about the performance and even development of the performance. Topics such as othering, being a changemaker, how to create a sense of belonging, as well as the meaning of words and the choice of how we use them were strong in our discussion.

In March we went to Oulu Art Museum to visit Eanangiella – Voice of the Land, a major exhibition of Sámi art and duodji. Working with the museum lecturers Eerika Arposalo and Laura Lampinen was yet another inspirational and unique collaborative experience. I visited the museum and together with Lampinen selected seven works that our group would focus on during the adventure. We came up with questions about each work, which we would discuss after the private tour.

With Reetta Tornensis’ work Ale javohuva we asked the questions: How do you express or how could you express your opinions through clothing? How are judgements made through clothing? The works started a lively discussion about, for example, how the oppressed can also be oppressors as we sat around a table with clay in our hands in the museum’s workshop room.

We concluded our spring adventures in May with Oulu theatre’s The Trial, a performance aimed at young people. This adventure was facilitated with Riikka Kontio, a visual artist from Oulu. We came up with questions such as: Did you see yourself in the characters? Did any of the characters on stage remind you of yourself? What does accountability mean? What things can you take responsibility for, and what things are the responsibility of adults?

The conversations took us to places, we could not foresee. In light of the series of stabbings in Oulu, we talked about safety, fears, and priveleges. The vulnerability expressed in these conversations amongst peers are unforgettable and deeply moving.

Who’s up for an adventure?

One of the main objectives of You Belong Here Adventures was to involve as many youth living in different parts of Oulu in an immersive art and cultural experience and to break bubbles. We may not agree on everything, but as an antiracist practise we can at least try to understand other perspectives and grow self-awareness, curiosity and criticality.

As I travel to many different schools around Oulu giving You Belong Here art workshops, I could at the same time invite the students to join the adventures. From that, students from Kaukovainio, Tuira, and Myllytulli joined the outings.  Through Oulu2026, Anna asked Culture Companions to join. We successfully gathered people of different ages, backgrounds, interests, yet all willing to try something new and meet new people.

For some of the participants, this was their first time going to an art museum in Finland or watch a dance performance, or go to Oulu theatre. In that sense, You Belong Here Adventures offered for free youth and young adults the possibility to experience art and culture. Again, art and culture are the catalysts that brought us together to see and experience life in new ways. And maybe even make new friends along the way.

Experiential learning

Nurturing curiosity, self-awareness, and creating connections are all antiracist practises You Belong Here Adventures strive to bring forth and enhance with our young participants.

With the generosity and openness of Oulu Art Museum, Xulu202x, Nuorten Oulu, we could create spaces for meaningful dialogue with new people. These experiences and discussions have helped build the antiracism education package for youth and young adults that Oulu for All is developing. Oulu for All continues to find ways to co-create with youth and ensure that they live in the Oulu they are proud of – a place where we can live in harmony, hang out with our friends, and feel seen and heard.

You Belong Here Adventures was led by Arlene Tucker, Oulu for All’s project coordinator and Oulu2026’s Equitable Inclusion Through Volunteering project manager Anna Litewka-Anttolainen.