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Becoming a member

The Estonian Artists’ Association (EAA) is a non-profit organisation operating under its Articles of Association and in accordance with the law. The Association has the right to select its members according to requirements it has established. As the Council of the EAA has, for various reasons, encountered disputes concerning candidacies, it has been decided that the membership requirements and documentation will be updated in September 2025.

According to the EAA Articles of Association, membership is open to professional artists, art scholars and art workers who have demonstrated creative ability and professional activity in practice. The Association is under no obligation to accept as a member any person who has been convicted of an intentional criminal offence, who has previously been expelled from the Association on grounds other than personal resignation, or who has otherwise significantly harmed the interests of the Association or its members.

In addition, non-profit organisations – creative associations and unions with at least 25 members – may also become members of the Association. The Board maintains a register of members, which includes each member’s name, place of residence or location, personal or registration code, date of joining, information regarding suspension of membership, expulsion or withdrawal, as well as other data permitted by law.

 

Eligibility

An individual may apply for membership if they have completed at least two publicly presented projects or works, including, for example:

  • a solo exhibition or a group exhibition (with up to three participants) held in a professional exhibition venue (i.e. a venue whose primary activity is organising art exhibitions);

  • a publicly executed work of monumental art;

  • a publicly presented performance or action art work;

  • participation in an international curated or juried exhibition or festival;

  • in the case of digital or virtual practice, a work published on a channel other than a personal one;

  • for art scholars and critics, a professional text published in an art-related journal or periodical;

  • for curators, at least one curated exhibition in a professional exhibition venue (i.e. a venue whose primary activity is organising art exhibitions);

  • for art workers, an overview of professional activity.

Application Materials

Applicants are also required to submit:

  • A carefully completed application form, including a motivation letter, descriptions of selected projects, and substantial recommendations, etc.

Applications for membership are reviewed four times a year, according to the schedule of the Council meetings.
Deadlines for submitting materials: 10 November 2025, 23 February 2026, and 18 May 2026.

When applying for membership in the Estonian Artists’ Association, please submit the following materials:

  1. Application form

  2. Motivation letter

  3. Portfolio (PDF) – an overview of creative activity focusing on the past five years, including detailed presentations of three exhibitions, publicly presented works or series, events, etc.

  4. Curriculum Vitae

  5. Three substantial letters of recommendation

  6. Two photographs

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM 

NB! The longer textual parts of the application, motivation letter and portfolio must be submitted in Estonian.
All materials must be submitted in PDF format, including the portfolio. After the materials have been received, the EAA may request that the application be supplemented.

Review Procedure

Candidates are introduced to the Council on the basis of the materials submitted. All Council members receive the candidates’ materials at least ten days before the meeting. Each candidacy is discussed individually.

If the candidate belongs to a sub-association, its chairperson is invited to comment; if a Council member has recommended the candidate, they may also speak. Each candidacy is subject to an open vote, and admission requires a simple majority of votes in favour.

The candidate will be notified of the Council’s decision within a few working days. In the case of a negative decision, a brief comment from the Council will be provided.

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