Eesti Tarbekunsti- ja Disainimuuseum

About the museum

The Eesti Tarbekunsti- ja Disainimuuseum (Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design) was founded in 1971 and opened on 18 July 1980 as a branch of the Eesti Riikliku Kunstimuuseumi (Art Museum of Estonia) under the name Tarbekunstimuuseum (Museum of Applied Art). It became an independent museum in 2004, and since 1 June 2024 the museum has operated as a foundation.

The museum is located in the Old Town of Tallinn at Laia tänav 17, in a Baroque granary completed at the end of the 17th century, which was reconstructed for the museum of applied art.

The collection focuses on 20th-century and contemporary Estonian applied art and design and includes textile, ceramics, porcelain, leather, glass, jewellery and metal, design and archive collections. The origins of the collection go back to 1919, when the Eesti Kunstimuuseum (Estonian Art Museum), which also included an applied art collection, was founded. Collecting design began in 2000.

Highlights

• Applied art permanent exhibition “Kogutud teosed” (Collected Works) with textile, ceramic, glass, leather and metal art
• Design permanent exhibition “Sissejuhatus Eesti disaini” (Introduction to Estonian Design)
• Baroque granary from the late 17th century in the Old Town
• Museum shop with Estonian design, books and magazines
• Free-to-visit inner courtyard and free Wi-Fi throughout the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Kogutud teosed – The applied art permanent exhibition presents, based on the museum’s collection, Estonian applied art: textile, ceramic, glass, leather, bookbinding and metal art.
• Sissejuhatus Eesti disaini – The design permanent exhibition gives an overview of Estonian design; varying additional displays are organised in the project area of the exhibition.

Founded

1971

Operated by

SA Eesti Tarbekunsti- ja Disainimuuseum

Director

Kai Lobjakas

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On International Museum Day and on International Children’s Day, 1 June (for those up to 18 years old), admission is free.

On presentation of a document, free admission also applies to holders of the Museum Card and TallinnCard, children from children’s homes, conscripts, employees of Estonian museums, journalists with a press card, ICOM members, victims of repression and Ukrainian refugees, members of the Estonian Artists’ Association and the Estonian Designers’ Association, and students and pupils of several universities and art schools. Free admission does not extend to tours, workshops and special events. Payment can be made in cash or by bank card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has no lift, and wheelchair users cannot move between floors. In the exhibition area on the ground floor, wheelchair users can move with the help of staff. There is no accessible toilet; toilets are on all floors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum organises children’s mornings and workshops; on Design Thursdays for 8–12-year-olds, participants explore the exhibition and make something themselves in a workshop. Children up to 8 years old enter the museum free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Old Town of Tallinn near the passenger port and the railway station, within walking distance of Toompea, Kalamaja and the Telliskivi loomelinnak (Telliskivi Creative City).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi throughout the museum. The cloakroom is unattended; lockable lockers are at the back of the visitor area. The museum shop sells Estonian design, books and magazines. The inner courtyard is free to visit and has outdoor furniture in summer.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit