Discover. Learn. Educate.

Located in the heart of Telliskivi Creative City, Fotografiska Tallinn is a contemporary photography museum where world-class exhibitions, diverse events, and inspiring culinary experiences come together. Open until late in the evening, the museum hosts three to four different exhibitions at a time – each designed to move, surprise, and expand perspectives. In addition to Tallinn, Fotografiska can also be found in Stockholm, Berlin, and Shanghai – and from 2026, in Oslo as well.

Alongside the exhibitions, visitors can enjoy a cozy café on the first floor, and on the sixth floor a restaurant and bar that has been awarded the Michelin Green Star for four consecutive years. Both spaces value pure flavors, local ingredients, and a sustainable approach to food and culture.

To bring young people closer to art, we warmly welcome teachers and their classes to Fotografiska. Here, a single school lesson can transform into an unforgettable experience.

A photography lesson can be focused on one exhibition or cover several at once. Students can also receive engaging and educational worksheets filled with observation and attention exercises (see examples below) to help them reflect on what they’ve seen. These worksheets encourage an understanding of different cultures, allow exploration of deeper artistic layers, and help students discover meanings, references, and cultural connections hidden in the images. They also empower students to interpret artworks independently, offering thought exercises and guidance on how to look at art more mindfully.

Photography for students – Experiential Learning in a Contemporary Museum

What is a Photography for students?

It’s a our guides, who take students on an educational and thought-provoking journey. The session teaches how to notice, observe, and interpret art from a fresh perspective, sharing practical tips on how to experience art more consciously and personally.

What does it give students?

It sparks curiosity in age-appropriate ways and encourages every student to look at art with confidence.

Photography is one of the most accessible forms of art – everyone takes photos, and nearly everyone carries a camera in their pocket. While everyone relates to photography in some way, interpreting it in a gallery setting is often (and misleadingly) seen as something only critics can do.

At Fotografiska, we believe art is for everyone. Our aim is to inspire young people and make visiting exhibitions a natural and stimulating part of life. You don’t need an art degree to enjoy an exhibition – only an open mind and a willingness to look. Our guides accompany students on this journey, sharing hands-on insights into how a single photograph can be viewed and understood.

What is the teacher’s role in the lesson?

Dear teacher – your role can be as active or relaxed as you wish! We ensure that students are engaged, so you’re welcome to simply enjoy the art alongside them.

If you’d like to get more involved, you could introduce the artist or exhibition themes beforehand, or discuss the experience together afterwards. The choice is yours – you know your class best. Extended exhibition introductions can be found on our website, and we’re happy to provide additional materials upon request, such as exhibition wall texts, podcast links, or related interviews.

What age group is it suitable for?

The program can be adapted for all ages – from preschoolers to lifelong learners. Our guides approach each group creatively and with sensitivity to their age and level of understanding.

Through Fotografiska’s education program, we want to foster curiosity, confidence, and the understanding that interpreting photography is possible and enriching for every student – from the youngest children to independent-minded high schoolers.

How does it connect to school subjects?

The experience links directly to social sciences, such as civics and human studies, as well as art, music, geography, and history. Many of our exhibitions also connect to subjects like physical education, biology, mathematics, physics, and more.

We encourage teachers to approach the exhibitions creatively – find a theme that links to your subject. And even if there isn’t a direct curriculum connection, the experience is valuable in broadening horizons and developing critical thinking.

A photography lesson can also support language learning – for instance, by booking a guided tour in English, or asking students to explore exhibition texts in another language. Exhibition texts are available in English, Finnish, and Russian.

How much does it cost?

The price is 5 euros per student. The minimum group size is 15 students, or a minimum fee of 75 euros. Teachers attend free of charge. Payment can be made in advance by invoice, on-site, or after the visit.

Hungry?

We also take care of taste experiences! Students can visit the café on the first floor. If you’d like to arrange a meal for the entire class, please inquire about our student lunch options at cafe.tallinn@fotografiska.com.(Since multiple events often take place at once, larger bookings must be confirmed separately.)

Do you have an idea we haven’t mentioned?

Every group is unique – feel free to contact us so we can tailor the program to your needs. Write to us at: haridus.tallinn@fotografiska.com

If you wish to visit on your own – kids and teens aged 15 and under always enjoy free entry – come discover at your own pace!