Estonian Arts Centre (EAC) is the charity associated with KESKUS International Estonian Centre currently in construction in the heart of Toronto, North America's 4th largest city. EAC promotes development of KESKUS in which to further its charitable objects, and these include promotion and support of the arts, multiculturalism, preservation of literary, musical and visual arts and the welfare and education of artists. Read about EAC's rich history of charitable programming since 1975, on the KESKUS blog here.
​
EAC is Estonia's representative and founding member of the European Union National Institutes of Culture Toronto cluster. Read more here.
​
Estonian Arts Centre (EAC) on Põhja-Ameerika suuruselt 4. linna Toronto südamesse rajatava KESKUS International Estonian Centre'iga seotud heategevusorganisatsioon. EAC edendab KESKUSe arendamist, et läbi viia oma heategevuslikke eesmärke, sealhulgas kunstide edendamine ja toetamine, multikultuursus, kirjandusliku, muusikalise ja kujutava kunsti säilitamine ning kunstnike tugi ja haridus. Loe EAC läbiviidud sündmustest KESKUSe blogist siit.
​
EAC on European National Institues of Culture Toronto klastri asutajaliige, esindades Eesti Instituuti. Sellest loe rohkem siin.
Upcoming events:
Opening festivities of KESKUS International Estonian Centre
Estonian Arts Centre has invested in the construction of its headquarters: a showcase for Estonian culture abroad, called KESKUS International Estonian Centre, located in the heart of the cultural and academia district of Toronto, North America's 4th largest city.
​
Please mark your calendars for opening festivities in August 2026.
​
​​​
​
Recent events:
Engaging the next-gen! Estonian Arts Centre's fourth "Nou Pois Äläud" performing arts program was held on September 12-14, 2025 at Jõekääru, Udora, Ontario.
NPÄ welcomed young women (13-17) and children (7-12) to make sure the next generation keeps the traditions alive...and fun! 70 dancers put on a spectacular performance on the Sunday of the retreat, with many wearing newly made "helmekeed", beaded necklaces, to complement their folk costumes. Read more here.
​​​
Thanks to: Estonian Arts Centre, Estonian Students Fund in USA, Inc., Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Foundation of Canada, Estonian Relief Committee in USA, Integration Foundation, Northern Birch Credit Union and Estonian American National Committee
FILMIST Stuudio: New York, August 17-22, 2025, presented together with New Yorgi Educational Society​ and Kinomaja Filmikool.
Read about the third instalment in the FILMIST Stuudio, and its first international one, here.
Twenty-four dreams come true! There's more than meets the eye regarding the determination of these 24 dancers that with the generous help of sponsors, got Estonian Arts Centre's "Nou Pois Äläud" dancers to perform in July 2025, in Estonia, read more here.​
Estonian Arts Centre's "Käsitöö Lounge: Pastlad workshop": make a pair specific to the width and length of your foot!
​
Katrin, an instructor with Estonian National Museum in Tartu, Estonia, will coach you through making your very own pair of pastlad and give you an overview of their history. Katrin says anyone can make 'em, and she'll prep materials so that 4 hours later, you'll be polka'ing out of Tartu College (thank you TC, for donating the space) in your bespoke pastlad!
​
If you have these tools, please bring: awl, 10mm chisel, old wooden cutting board or other wooden base into which dents can be made, hammer.
​​
CDN$85 for materials, instruction. Some snacks provided. Sign up by Sept 8 here. First come first served - registration limited to eight participants to ensure individual attention.
​
​
What a hoot! Estonian Arts Centre's third NPÄ was held on September 12-15, 2024 at Jõekääru, Udora, Ontario.
NPÄ welcomed mixed pairs registered for Tantsupidu, (hence the "Samm Nou Pois Äläud") and over 70 dancers, ranging in age from 14-78 put on a spectacular performance on the Sunday of the retreat, with over half sporting newly made 'pastlad' on their feet. Read more here.
Järgmine peatus, pöidlad pihku ...Tantsupidu 2025! Aitäh Ellen, Marika, Agne, Ave, Külli, Katrin & Katrin - NPÄst saab lugeda pikemalt siin.​
​​
Thanks to: Estonian Arts Centre, Estonian Students Fund in USA, Inc., Estonian Foundation of Canada, Estonian Relief Committee in USA, Integration Foundation, Northern Birch Credit Union and Estonian American National Committee
Do you have käsitöö on the go that needs motivation or advice? You're not alone!
Bring your project (and why not a snack to share) and join the "Käsitöö Lounge" 7-9pm at Tartu College, 3 Madison Avenue in Toronto on:
​​
June 21, 2023
June 22, 2023
August 29, 2023
February 21, 2024
March 20, 2024
April 17, 2024
October 30, 2024
November 20, 2024
​​​​
FILMIST Stuudio: Vancouver, August 19-22, 2024, presented together with SAESC.EKÜK
​
Watch these moving mini-portraits from the second FILMIST Stuudio here.
Generously supported by:
March Break filmmaking studio, ages 12-17
Read about this wonderful initiative here.
Film festival in Hamilton & Toronto
Read about the festival here.
Second time, even more fun! Estonian Arts Centre's "Nou Pois Äläud" performing arts program repeated and embellished on the prior year's retreat! Read about this good-vibes weekend, held on September 15-18 2023, here.
MisKESKUS video game!
Estonian Arts Centre's "MisKESKUS" video game is a unique and fun voyage of discovery while learning basic Estonian words!
​
MisKESKUS will have you discovering the classrooms, community room and halls of Estonian Arts Centre's new home KESKUS - solve challenges and learn basic Estonian. You might even recognise someone you know! This game was created by young Estonians - game developers, teachers - for young Estonians of every age (6+)​.
​
The game is available and suitable for all aged 6+ to enjoy! Laptop or desktop needed to play. The game is downloaded onto your system. The game can be downloaded for free, here.
​​