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The Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) has announced that it is accepting applications for its flagship cultural programs: Performer of the Year and Lecturer of the Year. Each year, these honors are awarded to two outstanding individuals who travel across the United States, presenting at Finnish-American events and sharing their work with communities nationwide. The initiative is designed to spotlight talent that celebrates Finnish and Finnish-American heritage, effectively turning artists and experts into cultural ambassadors for the coming year.
Promoting Finnish-American Culture and Community
This prestigious opportunity is open to individuals from a wide range of creative and scholarly disciplines whose work explores Finnish or Finnish-American themes. Eligible applicants include:
- Musicians – from traditional folk artists to classical performers
- Comedians – including stand-up artists with a Finnish-American flair
- Writers and Authors – whose stories or research delve into Finnish themes
- Historians and Academics – experts on Finland’s history, society, or culture
- Cultural Practitioners – for example, educators or advocates of traditions like the Finnish sauna culture
“Through these programs, we aim to promote Finnish-American heritage, inspire community connection, and elevate unique voices across the country,” says Thomas Flanagan, Executive Director of FFN. “The performers and lecturers we support represent the richness and diversity of Finnish-American identity today.” By providing travel and performance stipends, FFN enables the selected Performer and Lecturer of the Year to appear at FFN chapters and partner events throughout 2026. In doing so, the foundation not only entertains and educates audiences, but also strengthens bonds in the Finnish-American community across the country.
Interested applicants or those wishing to nominate someone have until 11:59 P.M. (PST) on October 1, 2025 to submit their materials. Applications are being accepted online via the foundation’s website, and FFN encourages candidates from all backgrounds who engage with Finnish-related themes to apply.
Celebrating a Legacy of Finnish-American Talent
Charlotte Loukola, the 2025 Performer of the Year, is a Juilliard-trained violinist who embodies the high caliber of talent supported by the Finlandia Foundation’s program. The Performer of the Year (POY) program, launched in 1996, has helped “undiscovered artists” gain exposure through performances related to Finnish and Finnish-American culture. While many honorees have been singers or instrumentalists, the award has also spotlighted comedians, storytellers, and other entertainers – underscoring the diversity of Finnish-American arts. For example, Charlotte Loukola, the current 2025 POY, is a Finnish-American violinist with master’s degrees from both Juilliard and the Sibelius Academy. The 2024 honoree, Miska Kajanus, brought a different flair as a Los Angeles-based actor, stand-up comedian, musician, and filmmaker. In 2023, singer-songwriter Ida Metsberg toured the country with her guitar, sharing original Finnish-language songs and a wry sense of humor as that year’s Performer of the Year. Past performers have also included award-winning jazz vocalist Eeppi Ursin (the 2022 POY) among many others, representing genres from jazz and classical music to folk and pop. Each of these artists illustrates how the program embraces a broad spectrum of talent, all connected by Finnish roots or themes.
Eero Kilpi, the 2025 Lecturer of the Year, is an advocate of Finnish sauna culture in the U.S., exemplifying the diverse expertise highlighted by the Lecturer program. In 2006, FFN introduced the Lecturer of the Year (LOY) program to share the history and culture of Finland and Finnish America through expert presentations. Since its inception, FFN chapters have hosted lecturers on topics ranging from Finland’s Winter War and the music of composer Jean Sibelius to the architectural legacy of Eliel and Eero Saarinen and even Finnish folk music traditions. The current Lecturer of the Year, Eero Kilpi (2025), exemplifies this breadth: he is a leading advocate for Finnish sauna culture in North America, known for his work with the North American Sauna Society and for highlighting the art and science of the sauna tradition. His immediate predecessor, Hanna Pylväinen (2024), offered a literary perspective – she is an author whose novel about Sámi reindeer herders in 19th-century Finland was a 2023 National Book Award finalist. Past lecturers such as writer Suzanne Matson (the 2023 LOY) further demonstrate the program’s range, which has encompassed literature, history, architecture, and other facets of Finnish and Finnish-American heritage. Through these lectures, audiences across the U.S. gain insight into Finland’s rich cultural tapestry, from historical events to contemporary issues.
A Bridge Between Finland and America
With its Performer and Lecturer of the Year programs, the Finlandia Foundation National continues to “champion a vibrant Finnish-American heritage and legacy” while building bridges between modern Finland and the United States. The foundation’s ongoing mission is to enable people of all backgrounds to share in Finnish and Finnish-American traditions, values, and spirit. By supporting artists and experts who serve as cultural emissaries, FFN ensures that Finnish-American stories — whether told through music, comedy, scholarship, or storytelling — reach audiences nationwide. This latest call for applications invites the next voices to carry forward that legacy in 2026, inspiring communities and celebrating the enduring ties between Finland and America.
