KANUTI GILDI SAAL
Kanuti Gildi SAAL is a contemporary performing arts centre in Tallinn. One of our main activities is to co-produce artworks in collaboration with institutional partners and artists. We organize various festivals and facilitates residencies in order to support artists in their creative process.
ARTISTS
Kanuti Gildi SAAL was established mainly for freelance artists. We are offering artists possibilities to create new and original artworks: to research, develop and put their ideas to practice, to experiment and take risks. We aren't afraid to work with the unknown – new formats and ideas still in development.
CO-PRODUCTION AND RESIDENCIES
One of the main activities of Kanuti Gildi SAAL is to co-produce work in collaboration with partners and artists. Every season sees up to 15 premieres. In addition, we are facilitating residencies with various objectives in order to give artists the space and time for developing their ideas.
INTERNATIONALNESS
Kanuti Gildi SAAL is sharing the mental space with artists and other like-minded centres across the world. We are part of the international circulation - considering not only the local scale but a wider scope of our activity while putting together creative teams or a program. Touring abroad is a crucial part of our co-production work and we are the most widely touring performing arts institution in Estonia. For example, 91 guest performances were given by our collaborating artists in 15 different countries in 2019, that is two performances in a week on average.
FESTIVALS
Kanuti Gildi SAAL is organising the longest standing international performing arts festival in Tallinn - SAAL Biennaal (2001-2014 Augusti TantsuFestival). Since 2022 the festival Switchover has yearly been taking place in Tartu. We are the co-organisers of the festival NU Performance Festival (since 2005). The international festivals are an opportunity for the Estonian audience to see works from abroad. In addition, we hold an annual local festival for short works Made in Estonia Maraton (since 2006).
COMMUNITY
In addition to performances, Kanuti organizes a variety of events to activate the audience and always strives to engage with the most current issues in art and society. It stays in close dialogue with the community and constantly reframes its place in the performing arts field. We have become a meeting place and a hub for curious-minded people.
HOUSE
Kanuti Gildi SAAL is located in the heart of Tallinn Old Town, showcasing contemporary art between historic town walls. The very first documented professional theater show in Estonia took place in the same location, in the Saint Canute Guild House in 1633. Although we operate in a building with centuries-long history, we stay acutely connected to the present and always stand with one foot in the future.
