The objective of the Visual and Applied Art Endowment is to promote, preserve and raise awareness of Estonian professional art. To this end, the Endowment supports and recognizes artists and other creative professionals, exploratory and experimental artistic practices, initiatives that contribute to the development of art and art culture, international exchange, the preservation and restoration of artistic heritage, and contributions to social well-being, including:

  • local and international exhibitions and art projects;
  • participation by Estonian art professionals in major professional events;
  • the professional activities of art professionals;
  • professional development abroad, including study trips, artist residencies, stays at creative centres, and research in archives or museums;
  • inviting internationally recognized experts in the field to Estonia;
  • the preparation and publication of art publications;
  • the continued development of the collections of the Art Museum of Estonia, the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, and Tartu Art Museum, based on recommendations by the museums’ acquisition committees;
  • the preservation and restoration of artistic heritage;
  • partial support for master’s and doctoral studies at higher education institutions abroad.

The Visual and Applied Art Endowment does not support:

  • amateur art;
  • as a general rule, the funding of awards.

The Visual and Applied Art Endowment supports the development of Estonian art and art culture, artists and other art professionals, and professional art events. To this end, the Endowment provides project funding, grants, creator’s salaries and awards.

Project funding is primarily intended to support art events. Applications may be submitted four times a year. Applicants are generally required to provide co-financing and/or own contribution amounting to at least 10% of the total project costs, with the exception of acquisitions for museum collections.

The Endowment also provides operating support to organizations and institutions that promote art and art culture. Applications for operating support may be submitted once a year, by 20 November.

The Endowment supports artists and other creative professionals in the field through the creator’s salary. Applications for the creator’s salary may be submitted by natural persons.

The Endowment also provides support for senior professionals with a long-standing contribution to the field. The support is awarded quarterly in a fixed amount of €1,200.


The Visual and Applied Art Endowment supports artists and other creative professionals in their creative work and professional development by awarding creative grants. Twice a year, the Endowment awards 12 six-month creative grants of €6,000 each. The application deadlines are 20 February and 20 August.

The Endowment supports master’s and doctoral studies at higher education institutions abroad through one-year study grants of up to €5,000. The application deadline is 20 August.

The Visual and Applied Art Endowment recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions in the field through its awards. Each year, the Endowment presents one Grand Award of €10,000, one Lifetime Achievement Award of €15,000, and Annual Awards of €6,000 each.


Please see the funding regulations here.