BOLD THINKING STARTS WITH CURIOSITY

Located in the heart of Telliskivi Creative City, Fotografiska Tallinn is a contemporary museum of photography where world-class exhibitions, a lively programme of events and inspiring food experiences come together. Open until late, the museum presents three to four diverse exhibitions at a time – exhibitions that speak to you, surprise you and broaden your perspective. Beyond Tallinn, Fotografiska can also be found in Stockholm, Berlin, Shanghai and Shenzhen, and soon in Oslo.

At Fotografiska, art and food go hand in hand, taking you on a journey through the house that feeds both mind and soul. From the cosy café and bakery on the first floor to the restaurant and rooftop bar on the sixth, pure flavours, local ingredients and a sustainable mindset are part of the experience every step of the way.

Fotografiska is a place for curiosity and new perspectives, and Fotografiska Learning Lab was born from that very idea. It invites kids and youth to get closer to art – to look, ask questions, discover and think for themselves. Here, a school lesson steps out of the classroom and into the exhibition space. Students can peek behind the images, discover stories they might miss at first glance and try out the real-life roles that bring an exhibition to life. Sometimes, one new perspective is all it takes to see the world a little differently – and that is where a more conscious world begins.

Fotografiska Learning Lab - learning through experience in a contemporary museum

Fotografiska Learning Lab brings learning out of the classroom and into the exhibition space, offering two different ways to learn through experience. Both encourage bold thinking and show that interpreting photography can be accessible and eye-opening for everyone – from curious kids to confident high schoolers.

1. EXHIBITION LAB

Exhibition Lab for Youth

Get to know Fotografiska’s major seasonal exhibition through play – and get a taste of real life along the way. Your school group becomes the exhibition team: designers, curators, art critics, artists, communications and marketing people, programme creators and other real-life roles needed to bring a major exhibition to the public.

A Fotografiska guide sets the group off on an adventurous journey before students take the lead, exploring the exhibition together in smaller groups. Prompt cards encourage them to discuss, question and discover the different roles behind an exhibition. Who actually makes an exhibition happen? What does each person bring to it? By stepping into these roles themselves, students experience first-hand what it takes to bring an exhibition to life. Along the way, they practise looking closely at art and gain confidence in expressing their own opinions.

This playful exhibition experience supports several key competencies in the Estonian national curriculum, including communication and collaboration, creative and critical thinking and self-expression. It also encourages students to explore art and culture from different perspectives.

What age group is it for?

Exhibition Lab for Youth is suitable from Grade 5 through the end of upper secondary school. During the independent part of the adventure, students split into smaller groups, take on exhibition-related roles and explore the exhibition on their own, discussing ideas and completing tasks together. Students should therefore feel comfortable working independently in small groups.

For students in Grades 4 or 5, choose according to the group’s readiness. If they are happy to navigate the exhibition, tackle tasks and discuss ideas independently, Exhibition Lab for Youth is the right fit. If they still benefit from having a guide alongside them every step of the way, choose Exhibition Lab for Kids.

Exhibition Lab for Kids

The version for kids opens up the same behind-the-scenes world and professions in a way that works for preschoolers and younger primary school students. Kids meet artists, curators, designers, marketing people and other roles through examples from their own everyday lives. Unlike the programme for older students, the whole group stays with the guide throughout the adventure, exploring, completing tasks and discussing ideas together.

The playful experience supports communication and self-expression, creativity, observation skills and the confidence to share ideas.

What age group is it for?

Exhibition Lab for Kids is suitable from preschool through Grade 4. The guide stays with the group throughout the adventure, introducing the roles behind an exhibition through playful, age-appropriate tasks that encourage kids to look closely and notice more. Along the way, they discover that the same image, story or exhibition can look very different depending on where you are standing.

2. GUIDED EXHIBITION TOUR

On a guided tour, we do not only look at what is in the picture – we also explore what we might miss at first glance. Together with a Fotografiska guide, students discover the stories behind the photographs, artists and exhibition themes, as well as details that are easy to walk straight past. Our guides invite students to think along, ask questions and form their own opinions, because in art there is never just one right answer or point of view.

A school lesson at Fotografiska is a visual adventure filled with inspiration, discovery and plenty to talk about. Our guides know how to spark curiosity in everyone from little explorers to confident high schoolers, while exhibition themes offer plenty of opportunities to connect a visit with different school subjects. Along the way, students gain the confidence to look at and interpret art – and perhaps see the world around them with fresh eyes too.

Fotografiska presents three to four very different exhibitions at any given time. Tours usually focus on the major seasonal exhibition, but the focus can also be shifted to another exhibition that connects particularly well with a topic being explored in class, a particular subject or the interests of the group.

Guided tours are suitable for preschoolers, younger and older school students, and anyone on a lifelong learning journey.

How long does a visit take?

Exhibition Lab for Youth and Exhibition Lab for Kids both last 45 minutes.

A guided tour of one exhibition lasts 30 minutes.

A guided tour covering two or three exhibitions lasts 45 minutes.

Whichever format you choose, we recommend leaving students a little time to explore independently whenever possible. Even 10–15 minutes can be valuable time to come face to face with art on their own terms.

What will kids and youth take away from the experience?

A visit to Fotografiska encourages students to think for themselves at an age-appropriate level and gives everyone the confidence to engage with art.

Photography is one of the easiest art forms to connect with. We all take pictures, and almost all of us carry a camera in our pocket. Everyone has a relationship with photography in one way or another. Yet interpreting a photograph in an exhibition can still seem like something best left to art critics.

At Fotografiska, we have always believed that art is for everyone. We want to inspire the next generation and make visiting exhibitions a natural, thought-provoking part of life. You do not need an art education to experience an exhibition – just an open mind and a curious eye. Our guides are there to join young visitors on that journey, sharing practical ways to approach and interpret a photograph or giving them the chance to step into the real-life roles behind an exhibition.

What is the teacher’s role?

The teacher’s role can be as active as feels right. We make sure students are involved and engaged throughout the experience, while teachers are just as welcome to enjoy the art alongside them.

Those who would like to take a more active role can introduce the artist or exhibition themes beforehand or continue the conversation back in the classroom afterwards. Every teacher knows their class best and can choose the approach that works for them. More detailed introductions to our exhibitions are available on our website, and we are also happy to share additional materials such as exhibition wall texts, podcasts and related articles. If there is something particular you need, just let us know when booking your visit.

How does the experience connect to the curriculum and school subjects?

A playful experience at the museum supports several key competencies in the Estonian national curriculum, including communication and collaboration, creative and critical thinking and self-expression. It also gives students new ways to explore art and contemporary culture from different perspectives.

Our exhibitions connect naturally with social studies, civics and personal and social education, as well as art, music, geography and history. Over the years, exhibition themes have also opened unexpected doors into physical education, biology, mathematics, physics and many other subjects. The museum can even become a language classroom – why not book a guided tour in English?

We encourage teachers to be bold and creative when making these connections. Find an angle that brings an exhibition together with what is happening in the classroom. And if there is no obvious link to a particular subject, that is fine too – an eye-opening encounter with art and the wider world is reason enough.

How much does it cost?

Both Exhibition Labs and the different guided tour options cost €5 per student. The minimum group size is 15 students, or a minimum charge of €75 applies. Teachers always join free of charge.

Payment can be made by advance invoice, on site or by invoice after the visit.

Hungry?

We know a thing or two about great food at Fotografiska, and students are always welcome to visit the café on the first floor. If you would like to have lunch with the whole class, ask about our lunch offer for students at cafe.tallinn@fotografiska.com. We sometimes have several events happening around the house and café at the same time, so larger lunch bookings need to be confirmed separately.

I HAVE ANOTHER IDEA that isn’t covered here...

Every group is different, with different wishes and needs. Feel free to get in touch and we’ll be happy to shape the programme around what works best for your group.

KULTUURIRANITS

Fotografiska is part of Kultuuriranits, a support programme by the Estonian Ministry of Culture that encourages learning beyond the classroom. The programme provides funding for students in Grades 1–9, helping ensure that every student in this age group can enjoy at least one cultural experience during the school year.

PS!

You’re always welcome to explore the exhibitions independently and at your own pace too – admission to Fotografiska exhibitions is always free for kids and youth aged 15 and under.

“Today, most people have developed a strong sense of visual literacy. Because they are exposed to so many images, they actually understand what makes a good photograph – and they want to see them. I believe the need for powerful, impactful photography is endless. And photographs still have the power to make an impact.”

— photographer James Nachtwey