University of Art and Design Helsinki is situated in Arabianranta, "Art and Design City".

The City of Helsinki requires all developers in the Arabianranta area to use 1-2% of the building investments of individual sites for works of art. This rule has been followed since the launching of development in the area in 2000, and at present some fifty art projects are in various stage of realization at Arabianranta. Art is an important component in shaping the identity of this area, which is based on the Arabia factory, the University of Art and Design Helsinki currently operating in the old factory facilities, and other institutes of art-related education in the area.