Children's culture is one of the priorities for the Ministry of Education. Children's culture means efforts to promote children's own creation based on play or storytelling as well as art and cultural services targeted to children.

Subsidies for children's culture are allocated by the Arts Council.

At the Ministry of Education, children's culture is one criterion used by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division in allocating grants to art and cultural institutions, organisations and different forms of art. The Culture and Media Division is responsible for promoting children's culture in libraries, the media and film. The Sports Division promotes children's sports and the Youth Division supports young people's cultural pursuits.

The Department for Education and Science Policy administers matters relating to schoolchildren's guided morning and afternoon activities, curricular and extracurricular art education, and the education of professional artists.

Children's culture programme

Development of children's culture is informed by a specific programme (2003-2007). The measures and policy relating to children's cultural and art services and art education concern local authorities, organisations and art institutions.

Taikalamppu (Aladdin's Lamp) is a network of children's culture centres. It develops art and cultural services for children in different parts of Finland and promotes the creation of cultural services in places where there are none.

Children's film and film education as a special emphasis

More children's films have recently been produced in Finland than ever before, and they have attracted large audiences. The promotion of children's film has been a special focus at the Ministry.

The media and media education

Media literacy and media education are the key to understanding communication and to critical use of culture in the new media. Media education, and film education as part of it, are included in school curricula.

Awards for children's culture

The Ministry of Education confers Children's Day Prizes and the Arts Council State Awards in Children's Culture.