FOUR UT MUSEUMS JOIN IN A SINGLE INSTITUTION: 'THE UNIVERSITY OF TARTU MUSEUMS'

The UT Nature Museum was created recently by joining the Faculty of Geography and Biology's Museums of Geology and Zoology as well as its various life sciences collections.
The single institution that has been established should, however, not be seen as one museum but rather as a close association of museums, UT Vice Rector Jaak Kangilaski explained. The previous names, continuity and speciality ties of all museums will be retained. Joining together will permit a more efficient coordination of the museums' visitor services, exposition strategies and resource use. The joined museums will also be stronger in applying for state subsidies to support their ctivities.
The state has so far not participated in financing UT museums, a burden shouldered by the University alone from its study and reasearch account, at the expense of its principal activities. The funds allocated to the museums have been clearly insufficient, addition to museum inventories has been slow and pay lower than in most Estonian museums. “The need to join forces was dictated precisely by the necessity of rallying additional support for and raising the profile of the museums both within the UT as well as for potential international donors,“ the Vice Rector said.
UT museums' objects include familiarising the public with the arts and sciences as well as acquainting it with UT history. The museums also collect, preserve and research UT stock of museal objects. The achievement of these aims will be facilitated by the closer coordination resulting from bringing the museums together.
The UT Art Museum founded in 1803 is the oldest museum of Estonia. The Museums of Geology and Zoology were founded respectively in 1822 and 1820.

Liina Jürgen
Senior Specialist, UT Public Relations

Contact person for additional information: Vice Rector Jaak Kangilaski, tel. +372 737 6501