Projects
Since 2013, Dr. Siljamäki has been enhancing pedagogical and theoretical insights at the intersection of art, creativity, and society by collaborating with professionals from various disciplines.
Her projects combine research with development, emphasising practice-based knowledge, creative practices, and social transformation, both in music education and societal change beyond traditional art education, such as in healthcare settings.
Research development projects for social change
Improvisation for
equity and safety
in the school community
2023-2026
This ongoing research and development project focuses on learning environments in music education from equity, safety, and holistic (musical) growth perspectives. Read more from the project webpage (in Finnish) or contact the PI-lead (Eeva Siljamäki).
The Kone Foundation supports the project.
Social media: @improvisaatio.muutosvoimana
Publications:
Siljamäki, E. (2023). Sosiaalista kestävyyttä improvisaatiopedagogiikkaa soveltaen [Improvisation pedagogy for social sustainability]. In H. Partti & M-L. Juntunen (eds.) Musiikkikasvattaja muutoksessa [The changing music educator]. DocMus publications, 423-428.
Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education
2013-2021
This practice-based research project brought together two diverse choral singing and improvisation cases, with herself as an insider in both. In the published book, she synthesizes the research results and advocates for the role of improvisation pedagogy and safe learning environments in art and wellbeing. You can read and upload the book (PDF) "Plural Possibilities of Improvisation in Music Education: An Ecological Perspective on Choral Improvisation and Wellbeing" here.
Publications:
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education: an ecological perspective on choral improvisation and wellbeing. Doctoral dissertation, University of the Arts Helsinki. Studia musica 86. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-241-3
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Improvisaatio moninaisuus musiikkikasvatuksessa - katsaus tutkimukseen ja tulevaisuuteen [Plurality of improvisation in music education - review of research and the future]. Musiikkikasvatus, 24(1), 90-99.
Siljamäki, E. & Kanellopoulos, P. A. (2020). Mapping visions of improvisation pedagogy in music education research. Research Studies in Music Education, 42(1), 113–139. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X19843003
Free Vocal Play
- research-based practice
This research-based practice was developed as part of her PhD. Free Vocal Play is based on her research and practice as an improvising musician for over 30 years. It is a facilitated creative practice that combines free musical improvisation with principles from improvisational theatre, playful learning, mindfulness, inclusive pedagogy, and pedagogical tact.
According to the research study (Siljamäki, 2021, 2023) underlying this approach, free vocal play can inspire musical studies, foster the acquisition of musical skills, promote the acceptance and appreciation of diversity, enhance the development of socio-emotional and musical skills, and cultivate creative ability, ultimately benefiting the broader well-being of participants.
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Free improvisation in choral settings: An ecological perspective. Research Studies in Music Education, 44(1), 234–256. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X20985314
The artwork project aimed to train artists in socially engaged arts (SEA), a practice striving to influence and instigate social change through art or artistic processes. The project (2021-2023) was implemented in partnership between five European countries with Erasmus+ funding.
The practical results of the project include a free online platform with resources for executing socially engaged art practices in various contexts (link to Moodle platform). Siljamäki, in collaboration with Kai Lehikoinen, was responsible for developing a research-based curriculum for further education of artists and others interested in SEA as well as an online course titled "Introduction to Socially Engaged Arts (SEA) Practice", which is currently taught by Siljamäki at the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Publications:
Lehikoinen, K. & Siljamäki, E. (2023). Socially Engaged Arts (SEA) Practices: Key Skills and Capabilities. Research in Arts Education, 3, 8-26. https://journal.fi/rae/article/view/130211/89855
Key skills and
capabilities in
socially engaged art
2021-2023
Siljamäki designed the Artsmend service model to develop social resilience in organisations. See the Artsmend service model (2021) (in Finnish).
The Artsmend service model provides clients with a platform for developing abilities related to social resilience, such as an open attitude to challenges and difference, reciprocity and communality, and the ability to tolerate uncertainty both in moments of surprise and during long-term change processes.
Publications:
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Improvisoiden muutosjoustavuutta työelämään - Artsmend-palvelumallin kehittäminen [Improvising for social resilience - developing Artsmend service design]. Masters thesis, Culture and media entrepreneurship. Turku University of Applied Sciences. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2021110519323
Creativity for resilience and flexibility in working life
2020-2021
Siljamäki developed a new kind of choral activity in a multi-professional collaboration with psychologist Ninni Rehnberg (YTHS) and physiotherapist Päivi Hamari (YTHS). This activity combined improvisation and singing with social anxiety management and peer support. Siljamäki was also part of the research team that examined this project, which was carried out in collaboration between the Student Health Foundation (YTHS) and the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki.
Publications:
Jansson, S.-M., Westerlund, H. & Siljamäki, E. (2016). Taide sosiaalisena oppimismuotona – opiskelijoiden kokemuksia jännittämisestä [Art as a form of social learning - students experiences of social anxiety]. Aikuiskasvatus 36(1), 37-49. https://journal.fi/aikuiskasvatus/article/view/88473/47650
Siljamäki, E. (2021). Plural possibilities of improvisation in music education: an ecological perspective on choral improvisation and wellbeing. Doctoral dissertation, University of the Arts Helsinki. Studia musica 86. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-329-241-3