organisation
Governance
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet (FNOB) is governed by the Foundation of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. In adherence with regulations, the governing bodies of the foundation are the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Board, and the CEO with the title of General Director.
The Board of Directors, which is elected for a three-year term, is responsible for allocating funds, appointing directors, and setting the overall strategy and repertoire policy according to the Foundations Act. The Supervisory Board is responsible for overseeing good governance, approving the annual report and financial statements, and managing the public affairs of the FNOB.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet is responsible for allocating funds, appointing directors, and setting the overall strategy and repertoire policy. The Board of Directors has 9 members. The Ministry of Education and Culture appoints the Chair of the Board and 4 members for a three-year term. The municipalities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa appoint 4 members in total. In addition to this, there are 3 board members appointed by the FNOB personnel who have the right to attend and speak, but not to vote, at board meetings.
Board membership from the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on 6 April 2022 until the end of the Annual Meeting in April 2025.
Members appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture (5)
Leena Niemistö, M.D. Chair of the Board
Riitta Björkenheim, Development Director
Dr. Sixten Korkman, Vice Chair of the Board
Antti Mykkänen, Adviser
Kerttu Tuomas, professional board member
Member appointed by Espoo City (1)
Jaana Jalonen, Entrepreneur
Members appointed by Helsinki City (2)
Minna Lindgren, author, journalist
Tatu Rauhamäki, Director
Member appointed by Vantaa City (1)
Jukka Hako, MA
Other members:
Staff representatives (3, right to attend and address, no vote)
Pasi Eskelinen, Prompter
Maria Mannermaa, Opera Singer
Timo Pulakka, Orchestra Musician
Presenting official (no vote)
Gita Kadambi, General Director
Secretary to the Board (no vote)
Anita Prusila, General Counsel
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board manages the public affairs of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, approves the annual report and financial statements, and ensures good governance. The Supervisory Board comprises 17 full members. The members and deputy members are appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the municipalities in the Greater Helsinki Area, and the Supervisory Board itself. The Supervisory Board also has three members appointed by the FNOB personnel, who have the right to attend and speak, but not to vote.
Members from the conclusion of the Annual Meeting on 6 April 2022 until the end of the Annual Meeting in April 2025.
Members appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture (8)
Pasi Kivisaari, MP, Chair of the Supervisory Board (deputy: Hanna Kosonen, MP)
Eeva-Johanna Eloranta, MP (deputy: Antton Rönnholm, Party secretary)
Ritva Elomaa, MP (deputy: Tom Packalén, MP)
Jaana Pelkonen, MP (deputy: Anne-Mari Virolainen, MP)
Noora Koponen, Member of Parliament (deputy: MP, actor, producer Pirkka-Pekka Petelius)
Veronika Honkasalo, MP (deputy: Jussi Saramo, MP)
Mats Löfström, MP (deputy: Anders Adlercreutz, MP)
Antero Laukkanen, MP (deputy: Tiina Sinkkonen, opera singer, singing teacher)
Members appointed by Espoo City (2)
Inka Hopsu, MP (deputy: Anders Portin, Special Ministerial Adviser)
Markku Sistonen, Sports Services Manager (deputy: Kristiina Karvinen, CEO)
Members appointed by Helsinki City (2)
Jan Vapaavuori, LL.M., Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board (deputy: Pia Pakarinen, Deputy Mayor)
Hilkka Ahde, City Councillor (deputy member: Dr Kimmo Sarje)
Member appointed by Kauniainen City (1)
Will serve on the board until the end of the current City Board term on 31 May 2023;
Tiina Rintamäki-Ovaska, Vice-Judge, district registrar (deputy member: Dr Sofia Stolt, Director)
Members appointed by Vantaa City (2)
Lauri Kaira, Director, Lawyer (deputy: Taruanne Lindevall)
Säde Tahvanainen, First Vice Chair of the City Council (deputy: Salla Lindblad-Palo, City Councillor)
Members appointed by the Supervisory Board (2)
Risto Murto, CEO (deputy member: Maunu Lehtimäki, CEO)
Erkki Liikanen, Chair, Association of Finnish Symphony Orchestras (deputy member: Rosa Meriläinen, Secretary General)
Members appointed by staff (3)
(right to attend and address, no vote)
Anu Varjonen, Customer Service Officer (deputy: Päivi Kulo, Orchestra Coordinator)
Mikko Toukola, Stage Technician (deputy: Kalle Rannikko, Stage Technician)
Tuukka Piitulainen, Dancer (deputy: Juha Moisio, Opera Singer)
Secretary to the Supervisory Board: Anita Prusila, General Counsel
Management Team
The FNOB receives government funding
The Finnish National Opera and Ballet (FNOB) receives government funding in order to bring live opera and ballet within everyone’s reach. The FNOB ended 2021, the second year impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, on a positive note. After performances resumed in August, audiences returned quickly. During lockdowns, the FNOB focused on providing access to opera and ballet performances through its Stage24 service.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed in stages by the government, all FNOB performances, free public events, and children’s activities were suspended from the beginning of the year until the end of the spring season 2021. The autumn season began on August 20, but some capacity restrictions remained in place. From October to December, all visitors were required to show a COVID pass to attend events. Live performances were suspended on December 28, leading to the cancellation of four sold-out performances.
In 2021, the Finnish National Opera and Ballet’s annual operating costs for core activities increased to EUR 66 million, a 3% year-over-year increase (63.8/2020). Net operating costs, taking into account central government rent subsidies, were EUR 54.9 million (52.1/2020). A total of 55.9% (61.7/2020) of operating costs were covered by central government grants.
Due to strong autumn season ticket sales as well as changes to COVID-19 restrictions and grants, the self-financing ratio increased to 15% (10.3/2020, 21.3/2019) in 2021. The municipalities in the Greater Helsinki Area (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen) provided additional grant funding totaling 7.8% of the budget, calculated on a pro rata basis using visitor numbers from each municipality. Central government funding covered 16.2% of the rent on the Opera House building, which is owned by Senate Properties. Central government funding also amounted to 1.3% of the total running costs of the Ballet School.
Personnel costs make up 80% of total operating costs, as creating a performance requires plenty of hands-on work. The Finnish National Opera and Ballet has almost 300,000 visitors per year.