Art subjects in comprehensive school and upper secondary school

This text has been compiled from the national core curricula for basic education and general upper secondary education, as well as other materials from the Finnish National Agency for Education. The qualification requirements for teachers of art subjects have been compiled from information provided by the University of the Arts Helsinki. The text focuses on general education, which the Ministry of Education and Culture defines as follows: “General education refers to education whose purpose is to provide general knowledge, information and skills that will help individuals act and impact society.” General education includes pre-primary and basic education, general upper secondary education and other non-vocational studies, such as those offered in liberal adult education institutions. It also encompasses morning and afternoon activities and basic education in the arts. Vocational education is outside this scope but are covered in a separate article here. However, general education studies in vocational qualifications include interaction in the mother tongue, which includes approximately one competence point’s worth of studies titled “art and creative expression”. Basic education in the arts is discussed in its own article here.

Comprehensive school

Attending comprehensive school is mandatory for all and falls under compulsory education. The educational path in comprehensive school lasts nine years. In comprehensive school, the common art subjects for all pupils are visual arts and music, which belong to the category of arts and crafts subjects. The total number of lessons in arts and crafts subjects consists of the minimum compulsory lessons for the subject and any optional lessons allocated to arts and crafts education. Artistic methods can also be integrated into the teaching of other subjects. In so-called weighted-curriculum education, optional lessons from other subjects can also be included the education. Comprehensive schools also teach mother tongue and literature, which aims to develop pupils’ language and communication skills and to foster an interest in literature and culture.

The goal of music education is to promote pupils’ musical skills, holistic growth, musical multiliteracy, imagination and interaction and cooperation skills. The teaching builds pupils’ ability to interpret the various meanings of music in different cultures and in the activities of individuals and communities. Learning occurs primarily through activities such as singing, playing instruments, creative production and listening. The aim is to build a positive relationship with music that lays the foundation for lifelong musical hobbies.

In visual arts education, pupils explore and express culturally diverse realities through art. Central to this are personal experiences, imagination and experimentation. Pupils observe, express, interpret, evaluate and produce visual art and visual culture. The subject deepens pupils’ relationship with visual culture and cultural heritage, and strengthens identity formation, cultural competence, multiliteracy, critical thinking and community involvement. Pupils are also introduced to opportunities for taking up a hobby in visual arts, the roles of art and museums.

Art education and teaching can also be included in subjects other than the main art subjects. Comprehensive schools and general upper secondary schools can offer optional courses in dance and theatre, for example. These courses can be part of the offerings in physical education or mother tongue and literature. In the framework of the mother tongue and literature subject, pupils often participate in performance visits, including theatre, dance and music performances. Currently, this goal is supported by the Art Testers (Taidetestaajat) cultural education programme, through which all eighth-graders experience one or two art and culture events annually. These can include performances, exhibitions, museum visits or art workshops. Funding for the Art Testers programme is expected to continue at least until 2027. Read more about the topic: Art Testers – This is Art Testers. Artists can also visit schools to perform and share their work. School visits featuring music performances are organised and coordinated by Concert Centre Finland.

General upper secondary school

General upper secondary school is an upper secondary level institution offering general education. It is possible to apply to general upper secondary school after completing comprehensive school. Students graduate from general upper secondary school by completing the matriculation examination. Studies typically last three years. After general upper secondary school, students can apply to higher education institutions.

In general upper secondary school, there are compulsory studies in visual arts and music for all students, with the possibility of offering advanced studies in these subjects. The teaching of mother tongue and literature also continues. Some general upper secondary schools have been granted a special educational mission, allowing them to “weight”, i.e. focus more extensively on, one or more art subjects and deviate from the regulations and provisions concerning general upper secondary education. Such weighted curricula can be offered in visual arts, music, expressive arts, design and dance.

In general upper secondary school, visual arts education is visual culture education, in which reality is explored through art and multisensory experiences. The focus is on understanding the personal, societal and global meanings of visual culture. Studies involve observing, expressing, interpreting and evaluating visual art and visual culture. Visual culture multiliteracy and evolving media environments, examined critically, are also focal points in the teaching. In this subject, students develop their imagination, creative thinking, general knowledge and societal agency. The studies provide readiness for further education and foster a lifelong relationship with visual arts and other forms of visual culture.

In general upper secondary school music education, students have the opportunity to experiment with musical forms of expression and develop their musical skills and interdisciplinary activities collaboratively. The goal of the teaching is to strengthen students’ relationship with music and support the construction of their musical identity while deepening their understanding of music as a societal phenomenon. The teaching equips students for musical civic engagement, cultural and societal influence, and critical examination of media and sound environments.

In both music and visual arts, students can complete a general upper secondary school diploma. To be eligible, a student must have completed at least four courses in the respective subject. The general upper secondary school diploma can also be completed in dance and theatre, as well as in home economics, crafts, physical education and media. The diploma is completed as a single applied course, and a separate certificate is awarded. Through the diploma, students can demonstrate their skills and dedication in the area through long-term evidence. General upper secondary school diplomas complement the competencies indicated by the general upper secondary school leaving certificate and the matriculation examination certificate. Organising the opportunity to complete the diploma is voluntary for schools, but students must be informed about the possibility.  

Qualification requirements for art subject teachers

The qualification requirements for art subject teachers depend on the level of education. In the upper grades of comprehensive school and in general upper secondary school, art subjects are taught by subject teachers, while in the lower grades of comprehensive school, art subjects are primarily taught by class teachers. To qualify as a subject teacher, one must have a master’s degree, 60 credits of teacher pedagogical studies, and studies in the subject to be taught. A subject teacher in comprehensive school is required to have at least 60 credits in the subject to be taught, and a subject teacher in general upper secondary school must have 120 credits.  However, in some cases, it is possible to work as a substitute subject teacher without meeting all the qualification requirements.

One can study to become a music subject teacher at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Oulu. To become a visual arts subject teacher, one can study at Aalto University and the University of Lapland. Master’s degrees in theatre and dance education can be completed at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. Teacher training programmes also include studies in music and visual arts education.

Sources and more information:

Opetushallitus. Äidinkieli ja kirjallisuus perusopetuksessa. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/perusopetus/aidinkieli-ja-kirjallisuus-perusopetuksessa 

Opetushallitus. Kuvataide perusopetuksessa. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/perusopetus/kuvataide-perusopetuksessa 

Opetushallitus. Kuvataideopetuksen lähtökohtia. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/kuvataideopetuksen-lahtokohtia 

Opetushallitus. Kuvataiteen lukiokurssit. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/kuvataiteen-lukiokurssit 

Opetushallitus. Lukiodiplomit. https://www.oph.fi/fi/lukiodiplomit 

Opetushallitus. Musiikki lukiossa. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/musiikki-lukiossa 

Opetushallitus. Musiikki perusopetuksessa. https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/perusopetus/musiikki-perusopetuksessa 

Opetushallitus. Taide- ja taitoaineiden päättöarviointi.https://www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tutkinnot/taide-ja-taitoaineiden-paattoarviointi 

Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö. Yleissivistävä koulutus. https://okm.fi/yleissivistava-koulutus 

Taideyliopisto. Oppilaitosten kelpoisuusvaatimukset. https://opiskelija.uniarts.fi/yleistieto/oppilaitosten-kelpoisuusvaatimukset/