Founded in 2004, it grew out of Finland's first Finnish-Russian music play school. Musikantit provides year-round arts, cultural, and recreational activities for children, young people, and families, and serves as an important meeting place, particularly for Russian-speaking and other multilingual families.

The centre is based on the idea that arts and culture belong to everyone. It offers music, theatre, dance, and visual arts education, as well as clubs, camps, workshops, and events for the whole family. Activities are organised in Finnish and Russian, making participation more accessible and supporting the inclusion and integration of children and families. They also create opportunities for people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to meet.

Musikantit operates at Kurkimäki Community House, an open community centre and meeting place for local residents. In addition to children's activities, the premises host activities for residents, families, and older people, strengthening interaction between generations and fostering a sense of community. Culture is used as a way to bring people together and support active citizenship.

Over more than twenty years of operation, Musikantit has built strong partnerships with the City of Helsinki, schools, daycare centres, organisations, and other cultural actors. One of its particular strengths is its long experience in reaching Russian-speaking children and families and organising bilingual activities. At the same time, its activities are open to everyone, with the aim of building a community where different languages, cultures, and backgrounds are seen as a strength.

As part of Toimintakeskus Semja ry, Musikantit promotes equality, participation, and intercultural dialogue by providing a safe environment for learning, creativity, and community engagement.