Exhibition statistics in Estonia in 2022
In 2022 art exhibitions were held all over Estonia: altogether in 20 cities, towns or villages. These statistics include information from 91 exhibition institutions located in Tallinn, Tartu, Pärnu, Haapsalu, Jõhvi, Jüri, Kärdla, Kuressaare, Narva, Paide, Põltsamaa, Rakvere, Rapla, Türi, Valga, Vaskjala, Viinistu, Viljandi, Varnja and Võru.
In 2022 a total of 900 art exhibitions took place, which indicates an increase compared to 2021 (823 exhibitions). About half of these took place in Tallinn (416 exhibitions, 47 exhibition houses), followed by Tartu (150 exhibitions, 12 exhibition houses) and Pärnu with 59 exhibitions (4 exhibition houses). Out of the 900 exhibitions that took place in 2022, at least 226 included international artists or curators. Out of the 900 exhibitions, the admission to 726 exhibitions or 81% was free of charge.
Changes in vistor numbers
While the visitor numbers of 2021 were still impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic (a total of 931 831 visits), in 2022, the number significantly increased – to 1 654 292 visits, which indicates a rise by 722 461 visits. Nevertheless, this is lower than the pre-pandemic number – 267 123 visits less than in 2019 (1 921 415 visits).
Most visited exhibitions
The most visited exhibitions still include the permanent expositions of larger exhibition institutions, most likely due to the fact that these are open throughout the year. The first place is shared by the permanent exhibitions at the Kumu Art Museum „The Future is in One Hour: Estonian Art in the 1990s“, „Conflicts and Adaptations. Estonian Art of the Soviet Era (1940–1991)“ and „Landscapes of Identity: Estonian Art of the Soviet Era (1940–1991)“ (93 498 visits). Among the most visited permanent exhibitions, there are also the permanent exhibition of Kadriorg Art Museum “The Netherlands, Russian, Italian and German Art“ (53 564 visits) and their open sculpture collection (44 263 visits). Among the changing exhibitions at Kumu Art Museum in 2022, the most visited exhibitions included the exhibition „Art in the Comfort Zone? The 2000s in Estonian Art“ (65 970 visits), „Thinking Pictures“ (36 297 visits), „Lembit Sarapuu. Reality and Actuality“ (34 105 visits), „Art of Science“ (31 348 visits) and „Maria Kapajeva. Loose Photos, Odds and Ends“ (28 606 visits). In other exhibition institutions, the most visited temporary exhibitions included two shows at the Estonian National Museum: „Urmo Raus. The Window of St. John’s Church“ (63 452 visits) and the exhibition „Beauty of Colours. Golden Age of Estonian Art from the Enn Kunila Collection“ (50 000 visits).
Top 10 most visited exhibitions out of the 900 exhibitions account for 30% out of all visits in 2022.
