Description of organisation

Taidekoulu Estradi (Art School Estradi) is an art school located in Lappeenranta Finland, established in 2005. Our main objective is to maintain, enhance and develop circus, drama and popular music studies for children and young people.

Taidekoulu Estradi has been giving Basic Art Education (based in curriculum) in the performing arts (circus, drama and popularmusic) since 2005 (circus since 2001). Our arts program is based on Finnish Educational laws and National curriculum. Art lessons are mostly held after school hours, in the evenings and during weekends.

Currently Taidekoulu Estradi has weekly about 530 students aged from 2 years old to adults. The main group of students are children and young. The amount of students in divided like this: Circus department about 330, drama department about 80 and music department also about 120.

In addition, every week, art school teachers visit schools and kindergartens around city of Lappeenranta, conducting workshops of various art genres.

Taidekoulu Estradi also provides short term courses and camps for varying groups from social circus to small children, families and adults. Taidekoulu Estradi co-operates also together with kindergarten and nurseries, comprehensive schools, immigrant groups and immigrant centers throughout different projects.

Taidekoulu Estradi is in many ways a forerunner in the field of Finnish basic education of arts. It is active working both domestically and also internationally.

Taidekoulu Estradi offers many shows, concerts and art festivals during school year/season. It also co-operates together with local restaurants and entrepreneurs by producing theme shows for example before Christmas time.

Some examples of huge productions: Every Year at the end of August in Lappeenranta there is a big one day summer festival called Sataman Valot. Taidekoulu Estradi participates to this festival not only by organizing shows and workshops there, but also working as main production team together with city of Lappeenranta. Every year, at the end of November, Taidekoulu Estradi offers dramatic circus show with live music for the audience. That show folds audience which is over 1200.

During spring season Taidekoulu Estradi offers many different shows (plays, circus shows, concerts, art festivals for children) for the audience. And in summer time there are several camps for children and young with workshops of art lessons.

The only time of the year when Taidekoulu Estradi in closed, is July. that is the time when the building of Taidekoulu Estradi is used by circus artists residences.