In English

Kaarisilta Association was founded in 1986. Kaarisilta Association maintains an Art and Activity Center for People with special needs or disabilities at Ersta Manor Estate in Lahti Region.

At Kaarisilta Art and Activity Center customers and students who need special support are at the center of the unique operating environment. The mission of Kaarisilta is to support students and customers to find and develop their strengths and talents. Every day about hundred people come to Kaarisilta to improve their skills and enjoy the company of friends. The main activities of the Art and Activity Center are visual arts, crafts, ceramics, music and physical exercise.

Organising cultural events and art and music projects is a significant part of operations in Kaarisilta: concerts, gigs, art exhibitions and plays are organised regularly. Music and Art Studios offer an opportunity to concentrate in one´s own artistic expression and work.

Daytime Activities

Kaarisilta offers daytime activities for adults with special needs emphasising on culture and physical education.

MUSIC Maintaining and improving singing skills and playing different instruments. Artists perform in different events and organise concerts.

VISUAL ARTS give opportunities to become familiar with various materials and techniques. Mentoring is an interactive and creative process. Organising art exhibitions is an essential part of the activity.

CERAMICS Aim is to strenghten one´s artistic expression and joy by finding different ways to work with clay materials.

TEXTILE ART Creative thinking and an unique artistic expression is encouraged when designing and making textiles with loom, felting, sewing or knitting.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION Kaarisilta offers versatile, rehabilitative and fun possibilities in maintaining one´s physical health and well-being: dance education, ball games, gymnastics and different outdoor activities. Heated indoor pool quarantees enjoyable swimming lessons and water games.

Vocational Education

Kaarisilta provides Vocational Education as intensive special education in music and media/visual expression in cooperation with Salpaus Further Education. Also, there are Preparatory Education and Training (TUVA) and Preparatory Education for Work and Independent Living (TELMA).

Kaarisilta was the first association in Finland to organise Vocational Education in music and media/visual expression as intensive special education since 2003.

Location

Kaarisilta Art and Activity Center is located in Päijät-Häme region in southern Finland. Kaarisilta operates in a unique surroundings at the historical Ersta Manor in Villähde, Lahti. In addition to the empire style main building there are numerous buildings for variety of needs: music and art studios, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool and Engel Warehouse designed by Carl Ludwig Engel (1828).

Nature is strongly present in Kaarisilta; a beautiful garden and an old forest surround the premises. You can experience the cycle of the year while you are here. Kaarisilta residents can enjoy the outdoors and nature as part of their daily activities. The calming effect of nature supports well-being and creativity, it creates a harmonious and inspiring learning and working environment.