
The Kumu Art Museum is the headquarters of the Art Museum of Estonia, as well as the largest and most impressive exhibition venue in Estonia. The museum opened on 17 February 2006. In 2008 Kumu received the European Museum of the Year Award.
This is a noteworthy international recognition of Kumu’s aspiration to become a contemporary art museum, which isn’t only dedicated to the collection, conservation, and exposition, but is a multi-functional space for active mental activity, from educational offerings for small children to discussions about the nature and meaning of art in the modern world.
Construction of the Kumu Art Museum stretched on for a long period. During this time, the concept of the museum also changed. The building planned as a national gallery became a museum that functions on two levels: collections of Estonian art starting from the early 18th century are on display on the 3rd and 4th floors, and a modern art gallery is on the 5th floor.
Different Periods on Different Floors
Art from before World War II is on display on the 3rd floor. The 4th floor shows works from the period of Soviet occupation. On Kumu’s 5th floor, there are exhibitions of contemporary art from Estonia and abroad. The contemporary art gallery isn’t only an exhibition venue but also an idea laboratory – a place where creativity has the freedom to experiment.
The international dimension occupies a very important place in Kumu’s activities. Half the rotating exhibitions deal with Estonian art and the other half with international historical art and modern art.
It’s the Kumu Art Museum’s ambition to take part in the Estonian and international art worlds, to which a contribution is made by the 250-seat auditorium, with its film offering, performances, concerts, seminars, and conferences, the educational center, programs and courses directed at various age groups, and the library, with the widest selection of art literature in Estonia.
Kumu’s role is to be both an educational and entertainment center, a booster of art and artistic life, a place for reflection that carries a message of stability, a place that creates and provides experiences, and a creator and interpreter of meanings.
Name | Kumu Art Museum Tallinn |
Address | Weizenbergi 34 / Valge 1, Tallinn 10127 |
Telephone | +372 602 6000 |