AvoinGLAM

AvoinGLAM is a Finnish working group dedicated to the promotion of Open Access to cultural heritage. It operates at the intersection of GLAM institutions (galleries, libraries, archives and museums), open-culture communities, digital creators and advocates of open cultural heritage. The group is known for organizing co-creation events such as Hack4OpenGLAM, discussion events on topics like monetization and NFTs in museums, and workshops introducing tools such as Wikidata to cultural-heritage professionals and the public. AvoinGLAM's activities are documented through its official website, which publishes blog posts, event announcements and reports. The site highlights recurring initiatives including the Hack4OpenGLAM co-creation event, a Valentine's Day School workshop on Wikidata, and a Wikimania watch party held in Helsinki. These activities reflect the group's focus on practical, community-driven approaches to opening up cultural heritage data and content. In 2022, AvoinGLAM began receiving funding from the Wikimedia Foundation, marking a new phase for the group. Susanna Ånäs, who had previously worked as the GLAM coordinator, is a central figure associated with AvoinGLAM's activities and communications. The group's work is closely tied to the international Wikimedia movement and the broader open-access ecosystem. As a working group rather than a conventional commercial company, AvoinGLAM does not sell products in the traditional sense. Its 'offerings' are events, workshops, discussions and collaborative projects that advance open access to cultural heritage. It operates primarily in Finland but engages with international audiences through online events and English-language communications.

AvoinGLAM is a Finnish working group for the promotion of Open Access to cultural heritage. Its name combines 'Avoin' (Finnish for 'open') with 'GLAM', the acronym for galleries, libraries, archives and museums. The group emerged from the Finnish Wikimedia and open-culture scene, with Susanna Ånäs playing a central role; she previously worked as the GLAM coordinator before AvoinGLAM's activities were documented on its own website. By early 2022, AvoinGLAM had established a public presence through its website, publishing blog posts and event announcements. A significant development came in 2022 when AvoinGLAM began receiving funding from the Wikimedia Foundation, as reported on its site in February 2022. This funding supported the group's ongoing work, including the organization of Hack4OpenGLAM, a co-creation event that brings together content communities, GLAM professionals, advocates of open cultural heritage and digital creators. Throughout 2022, AvoinGLAM organized a series of events. In February, it held a Valentine's Day School workshop introducing Wikidata to a general audience, offered free of charge via YouTube and webcast. In April, it arranged a discussion event on the relationship between Open Access to cultural heritage, monetization in museums and NFTs. In August, it hosted a Wikimania watch party in Helsinki, including a workshop on 'Crisis and GLAM'. These activities illustrate the group's method: combining practical training, critical discussion and community-building around open cultural heritage. AvoinGLAM operates primarily in Finland but engages internationally through English-language communications and online events. Its work aligns with the broader Wikimedia movement's GLAM outreach and the global open-access movement. As a working group, it does not have a conventional corporate structure or commercial product line; its outputs are events, workshops, reports and collaborative projects. The group continues to be active, with its website serving as the main channel for its announcements and documentation.

• AvoinGLAM begins receiving funding from the Wikimedia Foundation.

• AvoinGLAM holds a Valentine's Day School workshop introducing Wikidata.

• AvoinGLAM arranges a discussion event on Open Access to cultural heritage, monetization and NFTs.

• AvoinGLAM organizes a Wikimania watch party in Helsinki, including a workshop on Crisis and GLAM.

A community-driven working group advancing open access to cultural heritage through events, workshops and collaboration.

• Hack4OpenGLAM

  A co-creation event for working towards Open Access to cultural heritage, bringing together content communities, GLAM professionals, advocates and digital creators.

• Wikidata workshop (Valentine's Day School)

  A free workshop introducing Wikidata, held on February 14 and available via YouTube or webcast.

• Wikimania watch party

  A watch party in Helsinki for the Wikimania opening day, including a workshop on Crisis and GLAM.

1. 1AvoinGLAM - Promoting Open Access to cultureavoinglam.fi
2. 2AvoinGLAM - Wikidatawikidata.org