The Ladies' Association of Kuopio (Kuopion Rouvasväenyhdistys), founded in 1860, is a significant cultural organization based in Kuopio. Its establishment was rooted in the social activism inspired by the Finnish national awakening. The core vision of its founding members was to improve women’s opportunities for self-sufficiency through craftsmanship and handicraft skills.
The most influential achievement of The Women's Association of Kuopio has been the founding of a handicraft school (Käsityökoulu) in 1884. The association's long-standing educational mission continues today through the Kuopio Academy of Design.
Currently, the Kuopio Academy of Design offers basic education in the arts (handicrafts) for children, teens, and adults. In addition, the academy organizes a versatile range of craft courses, workshops, and events.
Chairman of the board:
Elina Pallonen-Eriksson
Vice Chairman:
Tuula Kemppainen
Other members:
Sari Mokkila-Karttunen
Marita Porrassalmi
Essi Sundman
Secretary of the Board:
Marika Salminen
The Ladies' Association of Kuopio is an ideological association that aims to promote and support handicraft, arts and crafts, design, culture, art and creative industries, and well-being.
The craft school founded by The Kuopio Women’s Association began its educational mission in 1884. Aimed at underprivileged girls and young women, the school’s goal was to promote craftsmanship and practical skills. Especially in low-income families, the ability to make and repair clothes was a valuable asset. The school also provided the skills necessary to earn a living through one's own work.
In 1992, the handicraft school began operating under the name Kuopio Academy of Design.
The Kuopio Academy of Design operated independently until 2002 when the schools administrative responsibility was transferred to the Savonia University of Applied Sciences.
The association provided support services for the Academy, meaning educational and financial administration services, maintaining the Taitemia library and student and lunch cafe Kafetemia. The association owned and maintained properties where the Kuopio Academy of Design operated. In addition, the association was responsible for the Kuopio Academy of Design’s paid service activities included in the education and project work through the Design Forum.
In November 2004, the association received the Kuopio medal for recognition of its significant social activities in favor of the City of Kuopio.
At the end of 2010, the municipal council terminated the cooperation agreement signed in August 2002, and the termination period ended on 31 December 2014. The reason for the termination of the agreement was the need for the joint municipal authority to concentrate the teaching of the Savonia University of Applied Sciences on the same common campus, the changes in the polytechnic legislation, the harmonization of service functions and the requirements for structural development, such as changing the maintenance system of Savonia University of Applied Sciences and a strong contraction of the number of design students.
In the spring of 2014, the Kuopio Women’s Association resumed its educational activities independently under the name Handicraft School, initially offering two groups for children. In the autumn of 2016, the school reintroduced the name Kuopio Academy of Design and began offering design-oriented education of basic education in the arts (handicrafts). Today, the Academy of Design has groups for children, youth, and adults, and its operations have also expanded online in the form of The eDesign Academy.
The decision-making power is exercised by the annual meeting of the association, which is held in accordance with the rules before the end of March and deals with the statutory and possible extra matters that the board of directors proposes to it. The association has about 140 members. Proposals for new members will be discussed by the Board at its meeting.
The executive power is used by the board selected by the annual meeting, and it includes a chairman and 4 members. The term of office of a member begins at the annual meeting and is three years. A member of the Board may be elected to the Board for a maximum of three consecutive terms. The Board selects the chairman and the vice chairman of the Board from its ranks. The Ladies` Accociation of Kuopios` Executive Director serves as the secretary of the Board. The supervisory authority is exercised by the annual and deputy auditors elected by the annual meeting.
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