Honorary Doctors and Members

Honorary Doctors

On June 18th, 2019 Estonian Academy of Arts’ Council bestowed the title of Honorary Doctor to:

Professor Griselda Pollock
Professor, University of Leeds, School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.

Professor Reinhold Martin
Professor of Architecture at Columbia GSAPP (Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation).

On June 17th, 2014 Estonian Academy of Arts’ Council bestowed the title of Honorary Doctor to:

Professor Jan Kaila

Professor Jan Kaila played a major role in raising the EAA Department of Photography to world standards when he was Professor of Photography from 2001 to 2004, and in launching and developing the EAA practice based curricula.

Peter Skubic

Peter Skubic is a jewellery artist and sculptor. He has given numerous master classes at the EAA Department of Jewellery and Blacksmithing, and has provided financial support to both the programme and its students.

On September 29th, 2009 Estonian Academy of Arts’ Council bestowed the title of Honorary Doctor to:

Professor Emeritus Riitta Nikula

She is a Finnish architectural historian who has researched Estonian architects and her research has influenced art history practices and research here. Prof. Em. Nikula is a longstanding member of the Doctoral School of Estonian Academy of Arts since its foundation in the the 1990s.

Professor Gerard Unger

Professor Unger is a world renowned typographer who has designed the information graphics for the Amsterdam metro, for the whole of Holland transportation networks and the city of Rome.  He is also the author of the typography used in main Estonian newspapers “Sirp”, “Diplomaatia”, and “Eesti Ekspress” and “Areen”.

On June 22nd, 2004 Estonian Academy of Arts’ Council bestowed the title of Honorary Doctor to:

Professor Yrjö Sotamaa

For his outstanding professional accomplishments and activities as well as assistance and collaboration in the development of Estonian Academy of Arts and internationalisation.

Professor Udo Kultermann

For outstanding professional accomplishments and activities as well as promotion of Estonian art and architecture in the international arena.

Professor Juhani Pallasmaa

For outstanding professional accomplishments and activities as well as promotion of Estonian architecture in Finland and the international arena.

Professor Lars Olof Larsson

For outstanding professional accomplishments and activities as well as development of Estonian Acadey of Arts academic and research culture.

On October 22nd, 1999 Estonian Academy of Arts’ Council bestowed the title of Honorary Doctor to:

Professor Boris Bernstein

For longstanding remarkable research and cultural activities, which have aided in the rise of professional status and renomee of Estonian Academy of Arts.

Professor Enno Hallek

For outstanding creative activities as well as duties in preserving and developing Estonian high culture beyond Estonian borders.

Professor Ilja Kabakov

For outstanding creative activities as well as service to Estonia in building a bridge of collaboration between oppositional Estonian art scene and alternative artists of Moscow.

Honorary Members

On October 21st, 2021 Estonian Academy of Arts named the following honorary member:

AS Kapitel

On October 27th, 2020 Estonian Academy of Arts named the following honorary member:

Mariina Mälk

On September 17th, 2019 Estonian Academy of Arts named the following honorary members:

Jaan Holt

Ott Kikkas

Jaanus Mikk

On June 17th, 2014 Estonian Academy of Arts named the following honorary member:

Armin Kõomägi

He is one of the founders of the Young Artist Award of the Faculty of Fine Arts. The award has been a motivation for the graduating class to aim for better results and has helped them continue their studies abroad or start their professional career in the field of art.

On October 13th, 2009 Estonian Academy of Arts named the following honorary members:

Meelis Milder, Chairman of Baltika Grupp, longstanding partner of Estonian Academy of Arts’ Fashion Design Department.

On October 22nd, 2009:

Professor Emeritus Jaan Vares, sculptor, Rector between 1959-89, 1956-94

Professor Emeritus Bruno Tomberg, designer and interior architect 1949-94

We commemorate our Honorary Members

Professor Emeritus Jaan Vares (1927-2016) sculptor; professor from 1968, ERKI rector 1959-1989

Professor Emeritus Boris Bernstein (1924-2015) art historian, ERKI-EKA 1951-95

Professor Emeritus Rein Zobel (1928-2012) architecture historian and architect, ERKI-EKA 1972-2001

Professor Emeritus Evald Okas (1915-2011) painter, ERKI-EKA 1944-93

Professor Emeritus Kaljo Põllu (1934-2010) graphic artist, since. 1988, lector at the Department of Drawing

Professor Emeritus Helene Kuma (1921-2009) ceramic artist, ERKI-TKÜ 1947–1994

Professor Emeritus Arseni Mölder (1919-2009) sculptor and metal artist, ERKI-EKA 1946-94

Professor Emeritus Leili Kuldkepp (1931-2008) metal artist, ERKI-EKA 1963–95

Professor Emeritus Helmut Oruvee (1923-2007) architect, ERKI 1971–94

Professor Emeritus Paul Luhtein (1909-2007) graphic artist, TRTI-ERKI 1944–1982

Professor Emeritus Leo Gens (1922-2001) art historian and critic, ERKI-EKA 1951–95

Professor Emeritus Mari Adamson (1908-2000) textile artist, ERKI 1944–77

*TRTI – Tallinna Riiklik Tarbekunsti Instituut (Tallinn State Institute of Applied Arts)

*ERKI – Eesti NSV Riiklik Kunstiinstituut (Estonian SSR State Art Institute)

Honorary Medals

On September 17th, 2019 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medal to:

Ingrid Allik

Hilkka Hiiop

Andres Kurg

Martin Melioranski

Lennart Mänd

Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo

On June 18th, 2019 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medal to:

David Vseviov

On June 12th, 2018 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medal to:

Lilja Blumenfeld

Mare Saare

On December 13th, 2016 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medal to:

Mari Roosvalt

On June 17th, 2014 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medals to:

Krista Kodres

Evi Mardna

Arne Mesikäpp

Toivo Raidmets

Maiu Rõõmus

On October 13th, 2009 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medals to:

Elvira Mutt

Miralda Kangilaski

Uno Roosvalt

Maasike Maasik

Vilma Lang

On June 22nd, 2004 Estonian Academy of Arts Council bestowed honorary medals to:

Inge Teder

Rein Zobel

Vello Asi

Ellen Tamm

Naima Suude

Meritorious Employees

2017 Prize for Artistic Work 

Pille Epner and Kaja Pae for curating the exhibition “Who Creates the City?” 

Professor Mare Saare for active exhibiting in 2017 and for the longtime development of Estonian glass art

Associate Professor Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo for the exhibition “Immediate Gratification”  and creative work that supports his pedagogical activities 

2017 Research Publication

Oliver Laas 

2017 Newcomer of the Year

Dagmar Raide

2017 Colleague of the Year

Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo

2017 Colleague of the Year

Elisabeth Kuusik

2017 Leader of the Year

Kristiina Krabi-Klanberg

2017 Team of the Year

Personnel Department – Dagmar Raide and Marika Kopõlova

2017 Deed of the Year

“Good Teaching Seminars” – Kristiina Krabi-Klanberg, Anne Pikkov, Maarin Ektermann, Lia Toro, Dagmar Raide, Kadri Tammik

2016 Prize for Artistic Work

Professor Piret Puppart, Head of Fashion Design

Associate Professor Taavi Talve, Head of Installation and Sculpture

Architects Maarja Kask and Ralf Lõoke, alumni, lecturers of Faculty of Architecture

2016 Prize for Research Publication

Indrek Rünkla for doctoral dissertation “Arhitektuursest mõtlemisest.: seosest tunnetuslike ja ühiskondlike konstruktsioonide vahel arhitektuuri praktika näitel”

2016 Honourable Mention

Professor Nithikul Nimkulrat for her book “Crafting Textiles in the Digital Age” 

2016 Team of the Year

Administration Department – Kaido Kruusamets, Mart Saarepuu and Andrus Audova

2016 Colleague of the Year

Piret Ellamaa 

2016 Newcomer of the Year

Kristjan Mändmaa

2016 Deed of the Year

The New EKA Building

2016 Leader of the Year

Mart Kalm

2015 Prize for Creative Work

Researcher Kärt Ojavee 

Associate Professor Indrek Sirkel

Professor Andres Tali

2015 Prize for Research Publication

Senior Researcher Eva Näripea

Professor Maroš Krivy

2015 Team of the Year

Office of International Relations: Maria Jürisson and Sandra-Leena Sule

2015 Colleague of the Year 

Kaido Kruusamets

2015 Newcomer of the Year 

Professor Piret Puppart

2015 Deed of the Year

Wooden Megaphones, Department of Interior Architecture

2015 Leader of the Year

Professor Anne Pikkov, Vice Rector

2014 Prize for Research Publication

Professor Andres Kurg for his doctoral dissertation “Boundary Disruptions. Late-Soviet Transformations in Art, Space and Subjectivity in Tallinn 1968-1979”