Iiris Autio

After receiving her Master’s degree in political science from the University of Helsinki in 1992, Autio specialised in marketing, production, and management of contemporary dance. In 2000–2001, she worked as a dance expert coordinating Race to the Finnish, a large-scale Finnish contemporary dance season in London and completed a Master’s degree in arts management at City University London.

Alongside her work, Iiris Autio has served as a specialist member on a number of creative economy and cultural export working groups for Finnish government ministries. She has also served in the Boards of Savonlinna Opera Festival (2017–2019) and Dance House Helsinki (2010–2019).

In 2016–2018, Autio took part in the DeVos Institute of Arts Management’s Fellowship Program at the University of Maryland in Washington D.C. In 2016, she was appointed to a government working group preparing a proposal for the Finnish Parliament on the reform of the funding system for museums, theatres (incl. dance and circus) and orchestras. She also lectures regularly.

In 2018, Autio was awarded the Helsinki Golden Medal for her extensive work in raising global awareness of Finnish contemporary dance. The Helsinki Golden Medal is the City’s highest recognition conferred on individuals for outstanding personal achievements and contributions to the City of Helsinki.