Art History and Visual Culture

The Institute of Art History and Visual Culture in Tallinn is the only research institute in art history (Kunstwissenschaft) in Estonia, and a leading one in the Baltic states, covering a wide range of fields of study, from the medieval period to contemporary art.

It was founded in 1992 as Institute of Art History of the Tallinn Art University (established in 1914). We renamed ourselves the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture in March 2016.

The Institute of Art History and Visual Culture serves both as a research and teaching institution, conducting major research projects in art history and providing education in all three academic levels.

The professors and faculty members in our department are top specialists in their fields and recognized experts; our graduates include Estonia’s leading younger generation curators, critics and art theoreticians. The Institute of Art History and Visual Culture’s curriculum combines historical and object-centred approaches to art with excellent knowledge of theoretical viewpoints. Visual culture studies explore the pictorial and spatial environment, the connections between them, and their functioning society. The BA programme is supplemented by study trips and practical training.

The institute’s MA programme offers three areas of specialization: Art History and Visual Culture, Museology or Curatorial Studies.

The aim of the Institute of Art History and Visual Culture is to offer a diverse, innovative and inspirational environment for study and research. Training in the speciality is supported by research conducted in the institute, our research projects, conferences and publications.

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