The board of the new performance and live art organisation has been appointed — meet the board!

In the photo, from left to right, top to bottom: Ulrika Vilke, © Marko Laukkarinen; Emmi Vainio, © Eero Yli-Vakkuri; Julia Pajunen, © Darina Rodionova; Riikka Lakea, © Sonia Sanchez Lopez; Henriikka Himma, © JIRINA; Nicolina Stylianou, © Yiannis Kourtoglou; Matilda Aaltonen, © Eeva Anundi.

Mad House Helsinki and Reality Research Center will merge in early 2027. The board of the new organisation formed through the merger has now been appointed. The board consists of Chair Emmi Vainio and members Matilda Aaltonen, Henriikka Himma, Riikka Lakea, Julia Pajunen, Nicolina Stylianou, and Ulrika Vilke.

The Board brings together diverse expertise in performance and live art, marketing and communication, audience engagement, and production. A key role of the board is to help define the strategic direction of the organisation, which begin its operations at the beginning of 2027, and contribute to shaping its future. 

“I am excited and impressed by the dedication and thoughtfulness that the members and staff of both organisations have brought to the merger process so far. A merger also means letting go of certain things. However, I feel that the significant work both organisations have done in the performance and live arts serves as a rich foundation for our new shared organisation. I’m also curious about the new people the organisation will invite to join in different roles. See you soon!” says Emmi Vainio, Chair of the Board.

Learn more about the members of the board and their backgrounds

Matilda Aaltonen is a dancer, choreographer, and researcher working in the fields of dance and performance art. Aaltonen is currently doing artistic doctoral research at the Uniarts Helsinki's Theatre Academy, focusing on dancers' practices of perfoming with nonhuman animals. Aaltonen's performances have been seen in the programme of the Reality Research Center’s program, and she was also and active board member at the RRC for several years. 

Henriikka Himma is a dramaturg, writer, and performance maker. In recent years, Himma has been particularly interested in the dramaturgy of space, the possible forms of performance, and relationship with audiences. Himma approaches the emerging performance and live art organisation with curiosity and passion. 

Riikka Lakea is a dance artist, filmmaker, and producer. Lakea specialises in creating performer-driven and site-specific works, as well as in developing low-hierarchy, ecologically and socially sustainable working methods. They have previously worked as a producer of RRC and the Queer Generations project, and currently work as a producer at the Uniarts Helsinki Theater Academy. 

Julia Pajunen (Ph.D.) is a theater specialist. In recent years, Pajunen has worked  as a curator responsible for communications and audience engagementat the & Espoo Theater. Pajunen’s research background has given a deep understanding of the performance and live art ecosystem. Pajunen hopes to bring this perspective to the development of the new organization, particularly in growing the audience base as well as in the marketing and communications.

Nicolina Stylianou is an artist, curator, and creative producer specialising in performing arts, live art and performance studies. Stylianou was a board member at Mad House Helsinki between 2023-24 and 2025-26. Stylianou holds a Master of Arts  in Live Art and Performance Studies from the Theater Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki (2020).

Emmi Vainio is a producer and an expert in arts administration. Vainio has worked for many years in the independent arts sector, including at Mad House in Helsinki, and currently is the Head of Administration at Frame Contemporary Art Finland.

Ulrika Vilke has a background in performing arts production and currently works as a Senior Producer for the City of Kotka, where Vilke leads and develops one of the Finland's largest public events, Kotka Maritime Festival, Vilke is passionate about taking new steps and developing forward-looking practices, which is why Ulrika is excited to contribute to building the new organisation.

We warmly welcome you to join our organisation!