X YPP Book

Changes
in
the
Everyday
practices
in
the
Estonian
Art
Scene
By Merilin Talumaa
28
OVERVIEW OF THE INSTITUTIONAL PATTERNS
An overview of the young generation of Estonian artists would be impossible
without a reflection on how the local art scene benefited from the general changes
at the institutional level. There have been significant changes during the past
six years (although their origins go back further in time)—a period during which
a new generation of artists, curators, critics, directors and project managers have
emerged. In contrast to the previous times, their roles are often intertwined and
their everyday work is directed outwards, toward achieving international cooperation
and acknowledgement.
The Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center (ECADC), a noteworthy newcomer
in the local art scene, started its work in 2012 under the direction of Karin
Laansoo. Although at first the aims of ECADC seemed similar to those of the Center
for Contemporary Arts Estonia (CCAE, since 2013 directed by Maria Arusoo,
the commissioner of the Estonian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale since 1999, and
a co-commissioner of the Baltic Triennial since 2016), ECADC proved itself to be
active on an even bigger scale. The ECADC has initiated a significant part of large
scale international projects, including Outset Estonia, Estonian Pavillion Without
Walls at the Performa Biennial 2017, the Curatorial Program for Research, and
Gallerist Master Course. This activity has played a big part in the careers of many
Estonian artists mainly still in their late 20s, 30s and early 40s, as they were introduced
to the international audiences.