Kulturhus Björkboda: A historic school turned vibrant cultural hub

Kulturhus Björkboda – or Kubu – has become a vibrant cultural and communal space on the picturesque island of Kimitoön, off Finland’s southwestern coast. Housed in a 110-year-old school building, Kubu serves as a meeting place where people and culture intertwine, fostering creativity, sustainability and hands-on learning.

The island, already a magnet for nature and culture enthusiasts, gained a new addition to its cultural landscape in 2022. Kubu was founded by Sari Kippilä and her husband, Tuomo Tammenpää, today, known as ‘Kubu-mama and Kubu-papa’. They saw potential in the old school building and decided to breathe new life into it. The result is an artist-led, independent cultural hub, deeply rooted in the principles of community participation and lifelong learning.

Celebrating the island’s 700th anniversary

This summer marks Kimitoön’s 700th anniversary, and Kubu is proudly contributing to the celebrations with a 12-week cultural programme from 5 June to 31 August, themed Earth (soil). The theme will run throughout the year, but during the summer, two major exhibitions will take over the entire Kubu space, from the yard to the attic. The Garden and the Hedge, curated by Irish-born artist and professor Teresa Dillon, explores the delicate relationship between cultivated and wild landscapes. Meanwhile, Piha, Pyhä, Metsä, Maa, curated by photographer and Norpas festival co-founder Ritva Kovalainen, delves into the sacredness of nature and the urgency of environmental conservation.

Workshops and interactive sessions will focus on biodiversity and soil health, offering hands-on opportunities to learn about ecological balance. Kubu’s ethos is about equipping people with practical skills, from building a community greenhouse together to fermentation and natural dyeing, to exploring soil with self-made microscopes. True to the island’s bilingual roots, Kubu ensures accessibility by offering exhibitions and workshops in Finnish, Swedish and English. Visitors can book their place to workshop on the Kubu website.

Before Kubu, Kimitoön lacked dedicated gallery spaces. Now, thanks to its presence, the island boasts three exhibition areas showcasing a range of visual arts, sculptures and installations. These spaces double as venues for events and creative workshops, reinforcing Kubu’s role as an important cultural hub.

Culture is doing things together

Managed by a non-profit cooperative, Kubu operates with a commitment to shared governance and participatory decision-making. The building itself has been preserved in its original form, with classrooms, a gymnasium, a kitchen, and communal spaces left intact, allowing for a seamless blend of history and modern creativity. The space now hosts a craft shop, rotating exhibitions, a hall with a stage and a pop-up café, alongside meeting rooms and collaboration areas.

At its core, Kubu is about unlearning – challenging conventional notions of education and culture. “We want to honour the building’s history and let it continue to serve as a space for lifelong learning. Culture isn’t just about art, it’s about everything people create and experience together,” says Kubu co-founder Tuomo Tammenpää.

Kubu has quickly positioned itself as a key player in Finland’s arts and culture scene. Its collaboration with the Norpas festival, known for an eclectic mix of music, performance, visual arts, circus and film, has further solidified its reputation. Through this partnership, Kubu has expanded Norpas’ programme, providing a broader platform for workshops, debates and artistic experimentation.

Sustainability is at the heart of Kubu’s mission. The cooperative takes climate challenges seriously, actively engaging in discussions on biodiversity and waste reduction. “Upcycling is evident in almost everything we do. Waste isn’t waste to us – it’s a resource that can be repurposed and reimagined,” Kubu’s co-founder Sari Kippilä explains.

Kubu’s exhibition programme welcomes both professional and emerging artists who push boundaries and think outside the box. With a focus on site-specific projects and community participation, Kubu ensures that no two visits are quite the same.

Kubu has transformed a historic school into a living, breathing cultural space that draws visitors from Finland and beyond. More than just a venue, this is a place of connection, where creativity, sustainability and communal spirit come together. “Visitors are not merely spectators. Everyone who steps through our doors has the opportunity to participate, in whatever way they choose,” Kippilä concludes.

Web: www.kubu.fi
Instagram: @kulturhus_kubu
Facebook: kulturhuskubu

5 June: Grand opening
13 to 15 June: Synth Camp
1 to 3 August: Norpas Festival
29 to 31 August: Closing & Harvest Festival