Foto Tallinn 2026: the best of contemporary photographic art, with artists from 15 countries
The artists selected for this year’s Foto Tallinn, taking place at Kai Art Center from 18–20 September, are characterised by clearly defined photographic practices, strong narrative frameworks, and distinctive visual languages.
According to the Artistic Director of Foto Tallinn 2026, Lilian Hiob-Küttis, in an unprecedented age of image overconsumption, stories that resist dominant visual and ideological patterns have become increasingly important. A critical relationship with truth and narrative is gaining significance, as is the question of how a personal point of view shapes our understanding of reality. “Identity, upbringing, community, family stories and personal mythologies, as well as the unease and strangeness of the world we inhabit — all of these find artistic expression at Foto Tallinn in different ways.”
Foto Tallinn 2026 will take place next week at Kai Art Center from 18–20 September and will present works by 45 artists from 15 countries, represented by 16 galleries and 15 independently exhibiting artists. A special programme for art collectors will run alongside a 15-event public programme featuring a diverse range of tours, discussions, and conversations.
Foto Tallinn 2026 will officially open its doors on Friday, 18 September at 11:00, with the public programme kicking off at 13:00.
Foto Tallinn 2026 will be open to art collectors and art lovers daily from 11:00. The public programme, featuring a diverse range of tours, discussions, and conversations, will begin on Friday, 18 September at 13:00 with a talk moderated by Hedi Jaansoo and featuring the recipient of the Artproof Production Grant. The artist’s name will be revealed that same morning.
The 15-event public programme brings together artists, art lovers, art collectors, and art professionals. Among the speakers are Anna Tellgren from Moderna Museet, Sara Giuliattini from Polycopies, Sakari Tervo from Pitted Dates, Stella and Tõnu Runnel, Priit Lepasepp from Sunly, Monika Kallas-Anton from SEB, and many more, who will share their thoughts and perspectives.
Find the full program here.
Early birds can grab a Foto Tallinn 2026 Pass for just €20, with access to the fair on all three days. A limited number of €7 Early Bird Friday tickets are also available in presale via Fienta!
How to get here:
Kai Art Center is located in Noblessner Port in Tallinn, close to Kalamaja Park. You can easily walk here from the city center or use the bike lanes along the waterfront. Bike racks and Bolt bicycle and scooter docking stations are located next to the center.
Noblessner Port can be reached by bus no. 73 from the city center (Noblessneri stop) or bus no. 3 (Kungla stop).
The center is wheelchair accessible.
Held biannually, the international art fair Foto Tallinn presents jury-selected artists and galleries showcasing the latest contemporary photographic art, offering collectors and art audiences rare access to new artwork, new ideas, and the people behind the art.
The fair is organised by Foto Tallinn, the Estonian Union of Photography Artists, and the Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center / Kai Art Center.
Foto Tallinn 2026 is supported by Sunly, Sorainen, Artproof, FedEx, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, and co-funded by the European Union.