Seeking a project coordinator (50%) for a three-year Vaara-Kainuu Art National Park project.

We are looking for a creative and proactive project-management professional who is enthusiastic about art and environmental issues to lead the preparatory project for the world’s first Art National Park. The Art National Park is a campaign initiated by the Mustarinda Association in 2022.

The project coordinator role offers a vantage point from the top of Paljakanvaara over the magnificent landscapes of Vaara-Kainuu, as well as a central position in preparing a nationally and historically significant national park proposal. In addition to inspiring and ambitious work, you will spend time at the Mustarinda House and in the surrounding old-growth forests. Our multidisciplinary and cross-genre community offers many interesting encounters, opportunities to expand your networks, and chances to learn new things. We also promise to share our best berry and mushroom spots.

The aim of the Vaara-Kainuu Art National Park preparatory project (2024–2026) is to advance the establishment of the Art National Park, develop its concept and network of actors, and pilot what an Art National Park could mean in practice. The project also seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of the role of art in the ecological transition and to carry out societal advocacy through and alongside art. The project is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme.

As project coordinator, you are responsible for the progress of the preparatory project. Tasks include local and national advocacy, stakeholder collaboration, text production, public speaking and representation, event organisation, production support for artistic partners, and coordinating between Mustarinda’s other projects and the national park initiative. The job description can be shaped according to your professional interests and expertise.

We expect courage and passion to promote the role of art in society, experience in project coordination, and familiarity with the national art and culture sector. The role requires strong communication skills, self-direction, fluency in Finnish and English, and a driver’s licence. You will work in collaboration with Mustarinda’s executive director, other staff, volunteers, and rotating artistic partners. An advisory group of art and environmental professionals will be assembled to support your work. Work at Mustarinda is mostly multi-site, but the project coordinator position also requires longer periods spent in Kainuu.

The project coordinator’s salary is €1700/month with a 50% workload (18.75 hours/week). The position covers 9 months in 2024 and 10 months in 2025–2026. Depending on additional funding, increasing working hours may be possible. Work can be scheduled flexibly as needed, but we hope you can start during April 2024 and work on Mustarinda’s upcoming summer programme.

Send a free-form application (max. 1 page or 5 minutes) and your CV by 11 February 2024 to miina.kaartinen@mustarinda.fi Bilingual (Finnish + English) interviews will be conducted via Zoom during week 10.

For further information, contact Mustarinda’s executive director Miina Kaartinen by email or phone at +358 45 6740 667 at the following times: 23–26 January, 10:00–12:00.

Read more about the Art National Park:taidekansallispuisto.fi

Read more about the Mustarinda Association: mustarinda.fi