Meetings on 13. & 20.9. 16:00 Save the dates!
Dear all,
this is the first follow-up message after our meeting on the 17th of May about the future of Toinen Kerros. As the first step to plan the future it is important to ask collectively: if we want TK to continue existing, in which forms can this be possible?
THE CURRENT SITUATION:
– Toinen Kerros rent and expenses (~40000€ / year) are paid until around June 2027 by the Kone foundation’s grant.
– In absence of new funding and a common strategy it will be the end of this space.
We propose to use this last year to discuss together and find a share strategy for TK continue existing.
To help the process we have drafted a timeline and some scenarios. The scenarios are merely starting points for a collective conversation.
TIMELINE:
1. Now – September ’26: gathering of interested parties, meetings in person, workshops on strategies, emergence of voluntary working groups (two meetings in September).
2. October ’26 – January ’27: emergence of a collective proposal.
FINANCIAL SCENARIOS:
We prepared some plausible scenarios to help start the conversation. However, these are only rough initial ideas and the the actual process will be defined during the meetings / working groups. We are also aware no single solution might cover the whole and most likely combined approached should be investigated.
Also, none of these scenarios include salaries for people working, which should be financed via a separate system (for example an association’s toiminta-avustus)
1. TK membership / patronage
Associations/organisers/individuals pay a monthly quota to cover expenses, according to criterial to be decided (use, capacity, other).
For example, 100 people pay 20€ a month, the space would get 2000€. Individuals and associations could pay different amounts and get different kinds of benefits (free entry, organise x concerts a month, use the space as a rehearsal space or other).
2. TK rental for community activities
A similar arrangement as it it has been for the current TK. Organisers with more capacity/resources contribute to smaller, more experimental or non-public ones (rehearsals, workshops, etc.).
Examples: a university organizes a public event they can finance, they contribute by renting the space at market price. If festival x, who receives a grant, contributes by renting out the space. Individuals or small associations could rent at lower fares for a number of activities (recording, rehearsing, workshops, private events). It needs clear rules.
3. TK rental for external activities
The space is rented to specific activities not directly related to the space’s scope such as: record store / bookshop / popup café / office / other.
Compatibility with other activities needs to be taken into account, but there could be overlaps, for example a cafe during events? Or they can be limited to the day-time when other activities are not happening.
It needs to be investigated financially and legally by talking with stakeholders.
4. Crowdfunding events
Actual crowdfunding “one off” events in which the tickets the public pays is directly used to finance activities.
5. TK private workspace rental
The private workspace (~80sqm) is rented as an office space to associations or individuals.
Interference with TK activities/concerts needs to be taken into account.
6. Grants.
A system of collective or individual grant applications for partial or total funding can and should still be put in place.
Examples: 1) Association X applies for toiminta-avustus in order to hire people to manage the administrative or technical part of TK. 2) Artists or associations organizing events in TK systematically include rental and technical costs in their grant budget, etc.
7. Your suggestion!
WHAT’S NEXT?
We invite you to the next two meetings in September, on the 13th and the 20th at 16:00, to start the discussion and define a strategy. Two meetings allow for the discussion to advance and for people unable to participate to one to be there on the next one.
If you are interested in participating please let us know already and spread the news, actively inviting others who can be interested in the initiative is a very important step!