in English
Estonian Arts Centre (EAC) / Eesti Kunstide Keskus (EKK) -- is a registered non-profit charitable organization, with Province of Ontario Letters Patent (307096). Roots of the organization go back to July 1972, to the first Estonian World Festival "ESTO72", held in Toronto, Ontario. At that time, its energetic music director, Stella Pahapill (then Kerson) became so inspired with all aspects of the cultural life of Estonians in Canada, that she felt it to be necessary and timely to start a new organization. This she did a few months later, and her initiative evolved into the present-day seasoned cultural organization, officially founded in October 1974, registered in 1975.

EKK ajalugu
EKK korraldatud üritused minevikus

Eesti Kunstide Keskuse juhatus, pro. 1999/2000

Istuvad, vasakult: Anne-Mai Kaunismaa, C.A., External Auditor; Stella Pahapill, Chairman of the Board and President; Olli Paas, Bookkeeper; Osvald Timmas, Chairman of Art Committee. Seisavad, esimene rida: Aino Piirvee, Internal Auditor; Margit Maiste, Young Talents; Juta Ilves, Art Registry. Teine rida: Hans Westerblom, Video and Photo; Peeter Sepp, Equipment; Arne Vahtra, Framing of Art-work; John Pahapill, Vice Chairman and Vice President; Jaan Roos, Special Projects; Armas Maiste, Music Director. Puuduvad pildilt: Abel Lee, kuraator; Reet Õunpuu, Secretary; Vaike Sägi, Treasurer; Lilian Shoebridge, Internal Auditor.

Stella Pahapill, founder and a founding director of Estonian Arts Centre, has been its President since the organization inception. She is also the present and long-time Chairman of its Board of Trustees. The other founding directors were: Ilmar Heinsoo, Siegfrid Veidenbaum, Arved Pedjase, Nikolai Küttis, Arthur Ekbaum, Maie Landra, Abel Lee and Osvald Timmas. The first Chairman of its Board of Trustees was Ilmar Heinsoo, the long-time Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Estonia in Canada.

The objective of Estonian Arts Centre is to promote the welfare of the Estonian Canadian Community and the Canadian Community at large through charitable cultural activities, including:

  • The promotion of visual, musical, theatre, literary, performing and other arts;
  • The creation of financial and technical facilities for introducing creative, artistic talent to the Canadian multicultural scene;
  • The organizing of exhibitions, concerts and plays for the preservation of art in all its forms;
  • The establishment of libraries for the preservation of literary and musical works, and museums, galleries or collections for the preservation of visual arts;
  • The provision of bursaries, scholarships, grants or subsidies for the support of artists, musicians, writers, performers or students of the arts in all forms;
  • The promotion generally of the welfare and education of artists, musicians, writers, painters, performers and practitioners of the arts in all forms.

    • Since its inception, Estonian Arts Centre has organized numerous cultural events, including art-camps, workshops, lectures, art exhibitions, concerts and music festivals. As well, it has awarded a number of valuable scholarships, bursaries and prizes to deserving young talents in the musical, visual arts and literary fields. On a broader basis, the Estonian Arts Centre works in close cooperation with other organizations with similar interests and objectives.

    The initial long-term goal of Estonian Arts Centre was to establish an Estonian Heritage Arts Museum in Canada, where permanent collections of artistic and historic value can be housed and exhibited. In light of the fact that Estonia regained its independency (in 1991), the goal of establishing the heritage art museum was replaced with “building” a virtual - or Electronic Museum, through which its collection of various art-objects can be viewed and enjoyed by anyone, residing anywhere in the wide world. As well, through its e-museum website, past events and upcoming activities of the Estonian Arts Centre can be viewed by anyone interested, worldwide. With the opening of the present website, this goal - even though long in coming -- has been reached. We trust that you, the viewer, will find our e-museum of interest, and invite constructive input from interested viewers.

    Toronto, October 2004
    ESTONIAN ARTS CENTRE / EESTI KUNSTIDE KESKUS (per)
    John Johannes Pahapill, Vice President
    Director - The Electronic Museum Project