Music Archive Finland
Music Archive Finland is closed 1.8.–31.12.2024 due to relocation. New address from 1.1.2025: Laippatie 4 (5th floor), 00880 Helsinki, Finland.
We are a national central archive that stores materials relating to Finnish music – with the exception of art and folk music. Established in 1990, Music Archive Finland is a private organization that seeks no financial benefit. It serves researchers, but also others interested in the history of Finnish popular music.
Music Archive Finland collects, according to its acquisition policy, especially unique material. The collection totals over 1200 shelf metres. Music Archive Finland currently stores over 450 private or association archives. The general collection consists of music papers, newspaper clippings, books, other published material and documents such as recorded music interviews mainly collected by the archive. The private collections comprise documents and items such as photographs, recordings and sheet music that have been kindly donated by musicians, people working in the music business, collectors, fans, and other music friends.
The collections cover a significant part of Finnish music history and cultural heritage. Much of the material has never been commercially released. Music Archive Finland has no legal deposit requirement covering sound recordings or other music documents published in Finland.
Researchers and others interested in the topic can explore the materials in Music Archive Finland’s premises. Music materials such as recordings, videos and sheet music can be searched through the Finna.fi service. Other materials such as books, music magazines and interviews are cataloged in Skaala database.
Music Archive Finland is also a research institute. It provides advice and information retrieval services, assists scholars in data management, and preserves research materials on a long-term basis. In addition, international and national seminars in music studies are held, as well as a monthly seminar in popular music research.
Music Archive Finland publishes non-fiction books and audio recordings related to Finnish popular music. It invests heavily in open science and research, as well as in Open Access publishing. The Open Access section gathers Open Access activities, including interviews and music research seminar presentations, research data, and Open Access books and recordings.
Music Archive Finland has been actively involved in the cooperation of Finnish cultural heritage organizations and the international Time Machine Organisation. Music Archive Finland arranges exhibitions of the history of Finnish popular music, in collaboration with museums and libraries.
Music Archive Finland is supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and it also relies on project funding, membership fees, and publications sale.
Digitization
In order to preserve music, Music Archive Finland is converting analogue materials such as open reel tapes, c-cassettes and video tapes into digital format. Most of sound and audiovisual recordings have already been converted, but new donations of old materials keep coming in and are much welcomed.
Music Archive Finland’s expert role in digitization is widely acknowledged. It has been involved in planning common standards and best practices for Finnish cultural heritage organizations.
In 2004–2008, Music Archive Finland was a partner in the EU-funded Training project for Audiovisual Preservation in Europe (TAPE). The project focused on audiovisual collections held outside the major national institutions with specific responsibilities for audiovisual heritage. Through a set of activities, including expert meetings, research projects, publications, workshops and training, TAPE raised awareness for audiovisual preservation.
© Jouni Eerola / Music Archive Finland
Member's Association
Music Archive Finland is maintained by an association, known as The Members’ Association of Music Archive Finland. The association seeks to encourage archival work around jazz, pop and other popular music in Finland. It also arranges concerts, meetings, seminars and exhibitions.
The association is run by an executive committee, whose members represent various fields of music, archival expertise and academic research. In 2017, the members are Hannu Tolvanen (chair), Jaana-Maria Jukkara (vice-chair), Jari Eskola, Matti Laipio, Esa Lilja, Mikko Mattlar, Atro "Wade" Mikkola, Mikko Ojanen, Janne Poikolainen, Saijaleena Rantanen, Perttu Rastas, Jarmo Wallenius and Raimo Öystilä.
The membership fees of the association are
- Person 25 €/year (student 10 €)
- Person 200 €/lifetime
- Institution 200 €/year
- Institution 1500 €/lifetime
Music Archive Finland members receive two newsletters per year, a discount on our publications and access to our meetings. And, of course, by joining the association you will contribute to Finnish music life and cultural heritage.
If you are interested in joining the members’ association, please contact:
Erik Lindströms Archive / Music Archive Finland