Emerging Artists: Fotografiska Tallinn Launches a New Regional Platform for Rising Talents

Fotografiska Tallinn is launching a new platform for emerging photographers, Fotografiska Emerging Artists: The Baltics + Finland, focused on rising photographic talent from the region. The initiative is dedicated to discovering and supporting new artistic voices by amplifying visibility, encouraging professional growth, and offering access to Fotografiska’s global network. The platform’s first major project will be a group exhibition opening at Fotografiska Tallinn in May 2026, featuring up to six emerging artists from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland.

The Fotografiska Tallinn Emerging Artists platform is open to photographers of all ages from the Baltic countries and Finland who are at an early stage of their creative journey or whose work has not yet gained wider regional recognition. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with artists selected once a year to participate in a special exhibition at Fotografiska Tallinn. The first exhibition will open in May 2026, with applications open until the end of January.

In addition to exhibiting their work and producing new pieces, selected artists will receive personalised mentorship, opportunities to engage with field experts, visibility through Fotografiska’s communication channels, and the chance to be part of Fotografiska Tallinn’s public programming and workshops. The initiative offers emerging photographers a professional setting in which to grow alongside peers, experiment with new formats, and gain experience within an internationally connected exhibition context.

For Fotografiska, the programme serves the purpose of highlighting local, yet-to-be-seen artistic voices and amplifying them by sharing the strength of its platform and moving forward together.

“We have long wanted to create a platform that focuses intentionally on artists who are shaping their path in photography, offering them visibility through Fotografiska’s stage and a supported space for growth,” says Margit Aasmäe, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Fotografiska Tallinn.

“A cross-regional perspective allows different voices, themes, and visual approaches to come together – those currently energising young contemporary art. We hope to see representation from every country in the first exhibition and to continue that momentum in the years to come,” Aasmäe adds.

The Open Call welcomes both photographers at the beginning of their professional careers and artists whose work has not yet reached broader public attention. A strong and distinctive visual language, as well as a compelling narrative approach, are highly valued. Applicants are expected to submit cohesive, previously unexhibited projects addressing contemporary and topical themes. While the focus is on photography, video works, mixed media, and installation-based approaches rooted in photographic practice are also welcome. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF in English, including 15–20 images or reproductions, a project description, and preferably a short artistic statement.

Applications for the 2026 exhibition are open via the application link until 31 January 2026. The application form will remain open beyond the deadline for future projects. Artist selection will be made by the Fotografiska Tallinn exhibitions team in collaboration with Fotografiska’s international team.

The Fotografiska Tallinn Emerging Artists programme is led by Kulla Laas, curator, arts and education professional, and board member of the Estonian Association of Photographic Artists (FOKU). Laas served as Director of the Tallinn Photomonth Contemporary Art Biennial from 2021 to 2025.

Fotografiska Tallinn’s Emerging Artists programme is connected to Fotografiska’s global Emerging Artists initiative, which aims to curate, amplify, and showcase emerging artists working in lens-based, time-based and prompt-based image-making through exhibitions, exchange, and connection – empowering artists to shape the future of visual culture. Fotografiska’s international Emerging Artists initiative will officially launch in spring next year.