Stoa

Stoa is a lively and varied culture centre for East Helsinki situated by the metro station in Itäkeskus, next door to the Itis Shopping Centre. The high quality events at Stoa attract visitors of all ages from all over Helsinki. Stoa's programme includes Finnish and international contemporary dance and circus, theatre, music, children’s performances and exhibitions. Stoa’s auditorium is one of the best venues for contemporary dance in Helsinki.

City of Helsinki is responsible for events at Stoa.

Organisations

In addition to the Helsinki City Cultural Office, Stoa houses the following organisations:


Itäkeskus Library

Contact information


Adult Education Centre

contact information


Youth Activity House Kipinä in Itäkeskus

contact information


Swedish Adult Education Centre

contact information


History

Stoa opened in 1984 under the name Itäkeskus Multifunction House. The name was changed in 1993 to Stoa the Cultural Centre of Eastern Helsinki. Stoa is the oldest of Helsinki’s local cultural centres.

The design of the building is based on the winning proposal of Björn Krogius and Veli-Pekka Tuominen, which won the design competition in 1977. A competition was also held in 1981 for the sculptures in front of the building. The blue Stoa sculpture by Hannu Sirén won first prize. Construction of the building began in 1983, and it was completed in November 1984.

Stoa’s Directors:
Irmeli Niemi 1984-1990
Katariina Metsälampi 1990-1991
Johanna Lindstedt 1991-1997
Paula Lehto 1997-2007
Paiju Tyrväinen 2007-2010
Tuula Yrjö-Koskinen 2011-2013
Riitta Aarniokoski 2014-2017
Ulla Laurio 2017-2018
Ulla Katriina Bergström 2018-2022
Antti Sarpo 2023-


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Regular Customers get discounts and special offers and are the first to hear the latest Stoa news. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date and become a Regular Customer by clicking the link below and filling out the form.

You can find us also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stoahelsinki) and Instagram (@kulttuuristadi). Don’t forget to follow us!

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We are part of the City of Helsinki

The City of Helsinki Culture and Leisure Division operates a total of eight cultural centres: Annantalo, Caisa, Kanneltalo, Malmitalo, Maunula House, Stoa, Savoy Theatre and Vuosaari House. Cultural centres offer residents of Helsinki a variety of cultural services, such as concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, children’s events and arts education. Espa Stage also offers outdoor concerts in the summertime. Events at cultural centres are organised in close collaboration with Helsinki’s arts and culture sector and the residents of Helsinki.

Services offered by the City of Helsinki Culture and Leisure Division also include sports, youth and library services, HAM Helsinki Art Museum, the City Museum and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.