Iria Arenas
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About





Finland-based freelance artist working across dance, performance, lighting design, organising, and curation. In 2024, they founded the initiative A4CT (Artivism for Critical Thinking) at the intersection of art, activism, and cultural commentary. For the past year, they worked as Events and Communication Assistant for the Department of Art and Media at Aalto University where they are currently deepening their curatorial practice in the ViCCA Master’s programme.

Education






MA Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art. Aalto University, Espoo, Finland (2024-ongoing)

Postgraduate in Performance Research Studies.SOZO vim, Kassel, Germany (2017-18)

MA Theatre and Performing Arts. Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain (2016-17)

BA in Visual Arts and Contemporary Dance. Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain (2010-14)

Work ExperienceEvents and Communication Assistant. Dept. Art and Media (DAM), Aalto University, Espoo, Finland (2025-ongoing)

Lighting Technician Assistant. Zodiak Centre of New dance, Helsinki, Finland (2023-ongoing)

Hip Hop and House Dance Teacher. Saiffa - Flow Mo Dance School. Helsinki, Finland (2023-25)

Website Designer and Social Media Coordinator. Tanzwerk Kassel e.V., Kassel, Germany (2020-23)

Stage Lighting & Web Development Teacher. SOZO vim Dance School, Kassel, Germany (2020-23)

Office Assistant/Coordinator. Tanzwerk Kassel e.V., Kassel, Germany (2020-21)

Administrative & Technical Assistant. SOZO vim Dance School, Kassel, Germany (2020-2022)

Grants2024. City of Espoo Culture Committee. 
2024. Goethe Institut. Culture Moves Europe. Individual Mobility Grant.
2023. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2023. Fonds Darstellende Künste. NEUSTART KULTUR. #TakeHeart Rechercheförderung.
2022. NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ - STEPPING OUT.
2022. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2021. Goethe Institut - Nachwuchsförderung.
2021. Brückenstipendien - Hessische Kulturstiftung
.
2021. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2021. Hessische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst.
2020. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2018. AC/E Programme for the Internationalisation of Spanish Culture (PICE).

Residencies2026. Redukt_Studio. Helsinki (FI).
2024. Sonnenstein Loft. Linz (AT).
2022. ON DISPLAY. Lake Studios Berlin (DE).
2021. Studio Practice and Artistic Process. Stockholm University of the Arts (SE).
2018. Atelier Real (REAT). Lisbon (PT).
2017. Oulu Dance Hack. Oulu (FI).
2016. DOCH Summer Residency. Stockholm (SE).

Curation2026. Thinking for/about/with Environment. Biennale satellite event. Villa Eläintarha, Helsinki (FI)
2026. On the Urgency to reIMAGINE, reCLAIM, and reSTRUCTURE. 3-week programme. Redukt Studio, Helsinki (FI)
2025. A4CT Zine #2 Launch. Publication. Dodo ry, Helsinki (FI)
2025. Super Supper, Public Programme. Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki (FI)

Dance / Performance



2024. Tanssivirtaa Tampereella. check your body at the door. Hällä-näyttämö. Tampere (FI).
2023. Kulturhaus Dock4. check your body at the door. Kassel (DE).
2021. Stockholm Fringe Festival. anverso. Stockholm (SE).
2021. Gothenburg Fringe Festival. anverso. Gothenburg (SE).
2021. Galeria Kollektiva. late for laundry, again. Kassel, (DE).
2019. Oops Festival. anverso. Brighton (UK).
2018. RandFilm Festival. anverso. Kassel (DE).
2017. Stockholm Fringe Festival. Wortenlust. Stockholm (SE).
2017. OT301 Highs and Lows #22. Wortenlust. Amsterdam (NT).

Guest Dancer / Performer2024. Red Bull Dance Your Style, Helsinki (FI).
2023. Fresko, Malla. Music video. Tallin (EE).
2019. Theater Spektakel. Terrain. Boris Charmatz. Zurich (CH).
2019. Staatstheater Kassel. Ares (statisten). Johannes Wieland. Kassel (DE).
2016-17. Reflections: Triple Bill. Body Politic Dance Company. Oxford (UK).

Lighting Design2026. Do You Like Bananas, Comrades?. KokoTeatteri, Helsinki.
2024. NEFES & Global Music Master’s Transcultural Ensemble. Vapaan Taiteen Tila. Helsinki (FI).
2023. Zipora and Friends. Sibelius Academy. Kalliosali. Helsinki (FI).
2023. STREAMS #4. Aura Antikainen & Niv Melamed. Halle 2. Kassel (DE).
2023. Sie starb und sie lebte. Rosalie Kubny. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2022. DIE FLACHE ERDE. Lauren Rae Mace. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2022. Silken Veil. C/O Mareike Steffens. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2021. Visitors. arenas&antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel, Germany (DE).
2021. EPILOGUE. Deborah Smith-Wicke. Halle 2. Kassel (DE).
2021. Could you stay for tea?. Aura Antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2021. Body of land. TANZWERKE '21. Aura Antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2021. Protrahere. Deborah Smith-Wicke. Halle 2. Kassel (DE).
2020. Rock, water, spell. C/O Mareike Steffens. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2019. Choreografische Werkstatt, Staatstheater. Kassel (DE).

Stage Technician


 2026. Side Step Festival. Zodiak Center of New Dance. Helsinki, (FI)
2025. SILENCE – A Multilingual Performance. Post Theater Collective Studio. Helsinki, (FI)
2025. Amalgam Melee. Marika Peura. Zodiak Center of New Dance. Helsinki, (FI)
2025. Side Step Festival. Zodiak Center of New Dance. Helsinki, (FI)

Installation2022. Violett Kunstgalerie. anverso. Body Tales. Kassel (DE).
2022. tonwerkstatt kassel. anverso. Kassel (DE).
2022. Pilotenkueche. anverso. Moving surreal curiosity. Leipzig (DE).
2022. 4bid Gallery. anverso. Amsterdam (NL).
2022. CreativQuartier Fürst Leopold. anverso. Dorsten (DE).

Film




Video Art



2023. Festival Antigone. Centre Culturel d'Uccle . Brussels (BE).
2022. Tanzhaus Temporär Nº1. Bergpark. Kassel (DE).
2022. LAKE Studios Berlin. ON DISPLAY Screening. Berlin (DE).
2022. Staatstheater Kassel. Queeres Kurzfilmkino im TiF. Kassel (DE).

2020. United Cowboys. Seasoning Summer. Eindhoven (NT).
2019. NB Film Festival. Puebla, Mexico and Texas (US). 
2019. VideoSkin Festival. Ontario (CA).
2019. SzoloDuo Festival. Ork_Kota_Platform. Budapest (HU).

©Iria Arenas 2024
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About

Finland-based freelance artist working across dance, performance, lighting design, organising, and curation. In 2024, they founded the initiative A4CT (Artivism for Critical Thinking) at the intersection of art, activism, and cultural commentary. For the past year, they worked as Events and Communication Assistant for the Department of Art and Media at Aalto University where they are currently deepening their curatorial practice in the ViCCA Master’s programme.
Education

MA Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art. Aalto University, Espoo, Finland (2024-ongoing)

Postgraduate in Performance Research Studies. SOZO vim, Kassel, Germany (2017-18)

MA Theatre and Performing Arts.Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain (2016-17)

BA in Visual Arts and Contemporary Dance. Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain (2010-14)
Work Experience
Events and Communication Assistant. Dept. Art and Media (DAM), Aalto University, Espoo, Finland (2025-ongoing)

Lighting Technician Assistant. Zodiak Centre of New dance, Helsinki, Finland (2023-ongoing)

Hip Hop and House Dance Teacher. Saiffa - Flow Mo Dance School. Helsinki, Finland (2023-25)

Website Designer and Social Media Coordinator. Tanzwerk Kassel e.V., Kassel, Germany (2020-23)

Stage Lighting & Web Development Teacher. SOZO vim Dance School, Kassel, Germany (2020-23)

Office Assistant/Coordinator. Tanzwerk Kassel e.V., Kassel, Germany (2020-21)

Administrative & Technical Assistant. SOZO vim Dance School, Kassel, Germany (2020-2022)
Grants2024. City of Espoo Culture Committee. 
2024. Goethe Institut. Culture Moves Europe. Individual Mobility Grant.
2023. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2023 Fonds Darstellende Künste. NEUSTART KULTUR. #TakeHeart Rechercheförderung.
2022. NATIONALES PERFORMANCE NETZ - STEPPING OUT.
2022. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2021. Goethe Institut - Nachwuchsförderung.
2021. Brückenstipendien - Hessische Kulturstiftung
.
2021. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2021. Hessische Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst.
2020. Kulturförderung Kulturamt Kassel.
2018. AC/E Programme for the Internationalisation of Spanish Culture (PICE).
Residencies2026. Redukt_Studio. Helsinki (FI).
2024. Sonnenstein Loft. Linz (AT).
2022. ON DISPLAY. Lake Studios Berlin (DE).
2021. Studio Practice and Artistic Process. Stockholm University of the Arts (SE).
2018. Atelier Real (REAT). Lisbon (PT).
2017. Oulu Dance Hack. Oulu (FI).
2016. DOCH Summer Residency. Stockholm (SE).
Curation2026. Thinking for/about/with Environment. Biennale satellite event. Villa Eläintarha, Helsinki (FI)
2026. On the Urgency to reIMAGINE, reCLAIM, and reSTRUCTURE. 3-week programme. Redukt Studio, Helsinki (FI)
2025. A4CT Zine #2 Launch. Publication. Dodo ry, Helsinki (FI)
2025. Super Supper, Public Programme. Museum of Impossible Forms, Helsinki (FI)
Lighting Design2026. Do You Like Bananas, Comrades?. KokoTeatteri, Helsinki.
2024. NEFES & Global Music Master’s Transcultural Ensemble. Vapaan Taiteen Tila. Helsinki (FI).
2023. Zipora and Friends. Sibelius Academy. Kalliosali. Helsinki (FI).
2023. STREAMS #4. Aura Antikainen & Niv Melamed. Halle 2. Kassel (DE).
2023. Sie starb und sie lebte. Rosalie Kubny. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2022. DIE FLACHE ERDE. Lauren Rae Mace. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2022. Silken Veil. C/O Mareike Steffens. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2021. Visitors. arenas&antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel, Germany (DE).
2021. EPILOGUE. Deborah Smith-Wicke. Halle 2. Kassel (DE).
2021. Could you stay for tea?. Aura Antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2021. Body of land. TANZWERKE '21. Aura Antikainen. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2021. Protrahere. Deborah Smith-Wicke. Halle 2. Kassel (DE).
2020. Rock, water, spell. C/O Mareike Steffens. Kulturhaus Dock 4. Kassel (DE).
2019.  Choreografische Werkstatt, Staatstheater. Kassel (DE).
Dance/ Perform.
2024. Tanssivirtaa Tampereella. check your body at the door. Hällä-näyttämö. Tampere (FI).
2023. Kulturhaus Dock4. check your body at the door. Kassel (DE).
2021. Stockholm Fringe Festival. anverso. Stockholm (SE).
2021. Gothenburg Fringe Festival. anverso. Gothenburg (SE).
2021. Galeria Kollektiva. late for laundry, again. Kassel, (DE).
2019. Oops Festival. anverso. Brighton (UK).
2018. RandFilm Festival. anverso. Kassel (DE).
2017. Stockholm Fringe Festival. Wortenlust. Stockholm (SE).
2017. OT301 Highs and Lows #22. Wortenlust. Amsterdam (NT).
Guest Dancer/ Performer
2024. Red Bull Dance Your Style, Helsinki (FI).
2023. Fresko, Malla. Music video. Tallin (EE).
2019. Theater Spektakel. Terrain. Boris Charmatz. Zurich (CH).
2019. Staatstheater Kassel. Ares (statisten). Johannes Wieland. Kassel (DE).
2016-17. Reflections: Triple Bill. Body Politic Dance Company. Oxford (UK).
2017. Dancers. Coproducción Sonia Gómez + CORPO A TERRA. Ourense (ES).
Installation2022. Violett Kunstgalerie. anverso. Body Tales. Kassel (DE).
 2022. tonwerkstatt kassel. anverso. Kassel (DE).
2022. Pilotenkueche. anverso. Moving surreal curiosity. Leipzig (DE).
2022. 4bid Gallery. anverso. Amsterdam (NL).
2022. CreativQuartier Fürst Leopold. anverso. Dorsten (DE).
Video2023. Festival Antigone. anverso. Centre Culturel d'Uccle . Brussels (BE).
2022. Tanzhaus Temporär Nº1. anverso. Berpark. Kassel (DE).
2022. LAKE Studios Berlin. anverso. ON DISPLAY Screening. Berlin (DE).
2022. Staatstheater Kassel. anverso. Queeres Kurzfilmkino im TiF. Kassel (DE).
2020. United Cowboys. anverso. Seasoning Summer. Eindhoven (NT).
2019. NB Film Festival. anverso. Puebla, Mexico and Texas (US). 
2019. VideoSkin Festival. anverso. Ontario (CA).
2019. SzoloDuo Festival. anverso. Ork_Kota_Platform. Budapest (HU).
©Iria Arenas 2024