Kumu Turns 20 Next Year

Text Susanna Poikela
Photo Stanislav Stepaško

The Kumu Art Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It opened its doors to the public on 18 February 2006, after nearly four years of construction and more than ten years of anticipation. The architect of the Kumu building is Pekka Vapaavuori. Interior design was carried out by Pille Lausmäe-Lõoke, Ville Lausmäe, and Gullsten-Inkinen Interior Architects.

Over two decades, Kumu has established itself as the world’s only museum with such an extensive permanent exhibition focused on Estonian art. Alongside its permanent collections, the museum has hosted numerous high-quality international and domestic art exhibitions each year. During its anniversary year, Kumu will look both to the past and the future through a rich programme of exhibitions and events. In total, 249 exhibitions have been shown at the museum over 19 years, attracting approximately 2.7 million visitors.

A look at next year’s exhibitions:

13 February–9 August 2026
The Triumph of Galatea: Art in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Curator: Anders Härm
Participating artists: Andreas Albrectsen, Maria Arnal, Tilman Hornig, Olga Jürgenson, Marge Monko, Bernard Picart, Darja Popolitova, Jon Rafman, Sten Saarits, Jens Settergren, Timo Toots, and Jan Zuiderveld.

20 March–6 September 2026
Karin Luts: Images from Travels
In cooperation with the Tartu Art Museum
Curator: Mare Joonsalu

22 May–11 October 2026
Kristi Kongi: Chromatic Drift
Curator: Ann Mirjam Vaikla

11 September 2026–14 March 2027
No Beginning, No End: Decolonial Gestures in Sámi Worldmaking
Curator: Ann Mirjam Vaikla
Participating artists: Carola Grahn, Snowchange—Pauliina Feodoroff & Kaisu Mustonen, Marja Helander, Jenni Laiti & Invisible Flock, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Hans Ragnar Mathisen, Alo Paistik, Outi Pieski, Suohpanterror, and Lada Suomenrinne.

2 October 2026–Spring 2027
Expedition: Finno-Ugric Peoples and the Power of Images
Curator: Linda Kaljundi

6 November 2026–Spring 2027
Who’s Afraid of Motherhood?
Curator: Eda Tuulberg
More than 40 artists, including Renate Bertlmann, Miriam Cahn, Andrea Fajgerné Dudas, Aneta Grzeszykowska, Maria Kapajeva, Lenka Klodová, Kateryna Lysovenko, Maternal Fantasies, and Jaan Toomik.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Art Exhibition Art Museum Art Museum of Estonia Estonian Art events Exhibitions Kumu Museums