The Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) has hosted a competition for monumental art grants, which recently concluded with the awarding of two notable student projects. The recipients are Kail Timusk from the sculpture program, and Erko Lill from the glass program, who will each create art pieces that will beautify the outdoor areas between the academy's buildings on Kotzebue Street. The competition aimed to find public art that will enrich this space both in material choice and thematic relevance.

A total of four submissions were received for the grant, and a jury decided to allocate two grants amounting to 3000 euros each for production costs. Kail Timusk's work, titled "Requiem for the Home Spirits," and Erko Lill's installation called "Shocks" are set to be completed by the deadline for their thesis pre-defenses in the spring of 2026. These projects not only reflect the talent of EKA students but also represent the academy's commitment to integrating contemporary public art into local environments.

Kirke Kangro, the dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at EKA, emphasized that the monumental art grant highlights the importance of public art in fostering community engagement and enhancing the aesthetic of public spaces. The upcoming installations are anticipated to attract attention and stimulate conversations around public art, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of the area around Kotzebue Street. The competition and the resulting works symbolize an investment in both artistic expression and the beautification of urban spaces in Estonia.