Tallinn: The Art of Being Good

The Goethe-Institut Estland and the Tallinn Art Hall host an annual residency for professional artists living in Germany. This program offers a studio-apartment in central Tallinn for two months, as well as travel and a stipend.

The aim of the residency programme is to spur artistic research and discourse on the topics of ecological awareness, environmental sustainability and the ethics of making art. Although tackling the ecological, social and economic components of the crisis is common in art, artworks and exhibitions rarely direct attention towards their own role in the ruinous sequence of events. We are therefore especially interested in artists whose work advocates awareness, innovation, or revolution towards a better relationship between our planet, humans and non-human beings. The residency complements Tallinn Art Hall’s ongoing exhibition series which pays special attention both to the possibility of being good and to ecological responsibility in conditions of certain destruction. Previous exhibitions in the series have been The Art of Being Good in 2019 and Pine-fulness in 2021.

The artist in residence is provided time and space to develop an independent project. The artist may conduct research or writing pertinent to their interests. During the residency, the artist is also invited to organise or participate in at least two public events at Tallinn Art Hall, e.g. a talk, presentation, workshop, walk etc.

In November 2022 Tallinn Art Hall moved to a temporary location in the suburb of Lasnamäe where it will stay while its historical building in the city center is being renovated. Lasnamäe was mostly built in the 1970-1990s, its 5-16 storied panel housing estates are contrasted by vast wild areas. It is the most populated district in Tallinn, with most of the residents being Russian-speaking. The programming of the Art Hall during this time is a mixture of site-specific and previously ongoing projects. The potential artist in residence is invited but not obliged to take this location into consideration when planning their activities.

Tallinn Art Hall

The Tallinn Art Hall Foundation is a contemporary art institution established in 1934 with an exhibition program in three galleries on the central square of Tallinn – the Tallinn Art Hall, the Art Hall Gallery, and the nearby City Gallery. Tallinn Art Hall addresses the most pressing issues in contemporary art and society, provides a fascinating program for contemporary audiences, and helps artists create new exhibitions and works. We are part of the larger international contemporary art scene and mediate an active exchange of ideas between local and international art scenes and audiences. In addition, we also organise exhibitions abroad. When putting together our program we value being contemporary, international, well-curated, and engaging different generations.

Goethe-Institut Estland

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive image of Germany by providing information about cultural, social and political life in our nation. Our cultural and educational programmes encourage intercultural dialogue and enable cultural involvement. They strengthen the development of structures in civil society and foster worldwide mobility.

Contact

Newsletter "Residency Programmes"