About us

Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia – Pohjanmaan tanssin aluekeskus / Regionala danscentret i Österbotten was established in 2010 and operates across three regions: Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, and Central Ostrobothnia. The organisation functions fully bilingually in Finnish and Swedish.

The centre is managed by Pohjanmaa tanssi ry / Dans i Österbotten rf. Its mission is to promote and develop dance art, support professional dance practitioners, and make dance accessible to everyone.

The centre organises performances, guest productions, seminars, and workshops, serving as a regional intermediary and expert organisation for dance. Its goal is to increase access to dance art, provide equal opportunities for cultural experiences to residents of all three Ostrobothnian regions regardless of their location or financial situation, enhance community well-being, and enable more people to experience the power of dance.

The Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia works closely with professional dancers and other dance organisations in the region, as well as unions, municipalities, cultural institutions, and educational establishments.

Board

Since January 1, 2016, Pohjanmaa tanssi ry / Dans i Österbotten rf has served as the background organisation of the regional dance centre.

The 2025 board consists of:
Mia Malviniemi (Chair)
Viivi Sjöblom (Treasurer)
Nanna Rahikainen (Vice Chair)
Meri Pajunpää (Member)
Riina Kalmi (Member)
Susanna Isotalo (Member)

A content working group composed of centre members collaborates with the executive director to plan and develop the centre’s artistic and operational content. In 2025, the group consists of Executive Director Eleni Pierides and board members Mia Malviniemi, Riina Kalmi, and Meri Pajunpää. The association currently has 39 members.

Steering Group

The Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia has a steering group that meets at least twice a year, or more frequently if needed. The group consists of representatives from regional funders and Pohjanmaa tanssi ry / Dans i Österbotten rf.

Tarja Hautamäki, Chair, Head of Culture, Regional Council of Ostrobothnia
Jenni Niemi, Head of Culture and Library Services, City of Vaasa
Åsa Blomstedt, Director of Culture, KulturÖsterbotten, Svenska Österbottens förbund för utbildning och kultur skn
Hanna Hangasluoma, Head of Culture, Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia
Berit Store, Cultural Coordinator, City of Kokkola
Kai-Eerik Känsälä, Cultural Coordinator, Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia
Leena Kråknäs, Head of Cultural Services, City of Seinäjoki
Mia Malviniemi, Chair, Pohjanmaa tanssi ry / Dans i Österbotten rf
Viivi Sjöblom, Treasurer, Pohjanmaa tanssi ry / Dans i Österbotten rf

Our Funding Partners

Arts Promotion Centre Finland (Taike)
Regional Council of Ostrobothnia
Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia
Regional Council of Central Ostrobothnia
KulturÖsterbotten, Svenska Österbottens förbund för utbildning och kultur skn
City of Vaasa
City of Kokkola
City of Seinäjoki
Svenska kulturfonden
Svenska Österbottniska Samfundet
Harry Schaumans Stiftelse
Vaasan Aktia Foundation
Föreningen Konstsamfundet
Kulturfonden för Sverige och Finland
The Finnish Cultural Foundation, South Ostrobothnia Regional Fund
Other foundations

Partners

qrfy.com, canva.com