Paper short abstract:

Drawing on empirical material from an ongoing project on urban activism, this presentation discusses how DIY (counter-)cultural spaces can form a response to perceived failures and shortcomings of mainstream cultural institutions.

Paper long abstract:

In this talk, I will focus on a grassroot initiative in Helsinki (Finland), which was formed by a handful of young adults with a distinct and elaborate mission: to create a safer space for those feeling neglected, left out and unwelcome at formal cultural institutions.

My presentation links to other research done on DIY urbanism by pointing out how individuals carry great potential for playing an active role in the shaping and making of urban space. As scholars like Gordon Douglas (2018) show, they are often the ones to detect issues in their surrounding society - issues that official institutions might not even be fully aware of and consequently do not take actions against.

Drawing on interview material, casual conversations and participant observation, I will present the activists' perspectives on society and their criticism on the cultural scene, before discussing their strategies to tackle the issues they perceive and the issues they encounter along their way.