Cultural heritage is our common heritage and an important part of people's daily lives. The Finnish Heritage Agency is an expert on material cultural heritage and the cultural
environment, a developer and an authority in its field. It collects, manages and displays national cultural heritage, stores, produces and disseminates information.
The Agency provides a wide range of services to all citizens, which are constantly evolving, and works independently and in extensive networks to promote the diverse preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage and to enhance its appreciation.
The Department of Cultural Environmental Services is responsible for official, expert and development tasks in the field of archaeological heritage, architectural heritage and cultural landscape conservation. The Department of Archives and Information is responsible for the Agency's records, archives, picture collections and library services, archaeological collections services and information management. The Museum Sector Development Unit is responsible for the general development and statistics of the museum sector in Finland, monitoring and evaluation of the sector in accordance with the Museum Act and the Museum Decree, contract management of regional or specialised museum activities and the distribution of state grants in the sector.
The National Museum of Finland, which is the national museum of cultural history and the central museum of Finnish cultural history, is also part of the Finnish Heritage Agency. The National Museum of Finland manages, collects and exhibits the largest and oldest cultural history collections in Finland, including contemporary culture. The National Museum of Finland is part of an extensive network of collaborations, including international ones, and is responsible for the programme production and operations of ten museums (the National Museum, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, Tamminiemi, Hvitträsk, Louhisaari, the Finnish Maritime Museum, Langinkoski, The Prison, Häme Castle and Olavinlinna Castle).
The Finnish Heritage Agency employs around 250 full-time professionals in the fields of material cultural heritage, the cultural environment, museums, archives and libraries. Support services are provided by professionals in finance, human resources, legal affairs, information management, communications and marketing. Temporary seasonal staff are also recruited each year to work at museum sites open during the summer season and on temporary research and inventory projects.
The Agency also actively develops its activities by investing in the skills and well-being of its staff. Well-being at work is ensured through occupational safety and health activities, activities to maintain working capacity and occupational health care, not forgetting recreational activities. The Agency has flexible working time arrangements and balance free and working time bank system, as well as lunch, sports and culture benefits.
