Oulu’s resilience as an Arctic city is rooted in its ability to renew. With the UNESCO designation as a City of Media Arts in 2023, it is time to build a bridge from Oulu’s hi-tech past to today’s Art&Tech competence and to reimagine the future through media arts.

 Oulu is the largest urban center in Northern Finland and the largest at its latitude – as well as the European Capital of Culture 2026. Oulu’s journey to become a Nordic innovation center began in the 17th century with tar trade and weatherproof shipping, and has since evolved into a growing hub of modern technology and diverse expertise.

 Through the Media Arts Action Plan, Oulu works with local partners, including independent art organizations and associations; art and culture communities and groups; educational and research institutes; and ecosystems and clusters in the creative industries and ICT. With the legacy work of Oulu2026 and media arts as a driver for sustainable urban development, the city is building towards a more creative, inclusive, and attractive city and region for decades to come.

 As an Arctic city, Oulu also has a unique relationship with light and darkness. Oulu hosts the annual Lumo Light Festival, featuring an array of artworks and co-productions by local and international creatives, and extending the city’s Media Arts and Art&Tech platforms. By accelerating its role as the Northern cultural capital, Oulu aims to become a national center of media arts as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and an Arctic leader in Art&Tech.