The Finnish illustrators association, Kuvittajat (Illustrators in Finland), was established in 2002. It is a non-profit organization aiming to improve the conditions of employment for illustrators, the standing of the art of illustration and supporting research and the development of training possibilities for illustrators. The major long-term goal for the association is working towards making an ambition of a permanent archive and a museum of illustration to realize. Kuvittajat now has about 230 members who are working primarily as illustrators.

Kuvittajat office is situated in the heart of Helsinki city and comprises a small gallery free for the exhibitions of the members. Association’s external activities include also publishing and distributing our own quarterly journal entitled “Kuvittaja” to members and subscribers nationally. Our international network consists of Nordic co-operation with Svenska Tecknare (The Swedish association of Illustrators) and collaboration with European illustrators through EIF.

One of the most important tasks is to support and promote the professional, legal and financial interests of illustrators in Finland i.e. through legal advice and contract model forms. Other fields of activity are arranging illustration exhibitions and training for the members, distributing grants to support the work of illustrators, administering the Kieku-, Kaiku and Kukko awards for illustrators and hosting a monthly club as meeting point for illustrators. Grants are distributed thrice a year; consisting of a smaller grant of 100-400 € for art supplies and exhibition expenses and bigger grant of 1000-3000 € for artistic projects. The smaller one is dealt on spring and fall and the bigger once every February.

The association funding comes from the state (as grants) and the Finnish copyright organization Kopiosto (as a remuneration for photocopying rights), plus membership dues.