Art Leete

Art Leete (born 19 February 1969) is an Estonian ethnologist and folklorist. He is Professor of Ethnology at the University of Tartu.

Leete's research has focused on Finno-Ugric and other Indigenous peoples of northern Russia and western Siberia, including cultural change, religion and hunting practices among groups such as the Khanty, Mansi, Nenets and Komi.

He is also known for museum work connected to the Estonian National Museum (ERM), including serving as the concept author and a co-curator of ERM's permanent Finno-Ugric exhibition Echo of the Urals (Uurali kaja).

Career

According to a biographical CV record, Leete worked at the Estonian National Museum from 1994, including as research director (1997–2001). He later joined the University of Tartu and has held senior academic roles there, including Head of the Department of Ethnology and Head of the Laboratory of Arctic Studies.

In December 2018, Leete was elected head of the University of Tartu's Institute of Cultural Research, taking office on 1 January 2019.

In 2002–2003, he was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Georgetown University.

Editorial and professional service

Leete is a member of the editorial board of the Finnish scholarly journal Ethnologia Fennica. He is also listed as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics (University of Tartu / Estonian Literary Museum).

Echo of the Urals exhibition

The Estonian Ministry of Culture credits Leete as the idea/concept author of ERM's permanent exhibition Echo of the Urals and as leader of the curatorial working group. Independent coverage described the exhibition as the “best permanent exhibition of the year” in Estonia's annual museum awards context (2017).

ERM reports that the exhibition's environmental design won a main prize at the European Design Awards (2017). The exhibition's environmental design was also listed as a nominee in the ADCE Awards (Design & Craft – Environmental Design).

Honours

  • Order of the White Star, 5th Class (2008).
  • University of Tartu Medal (2019).
  • Oskar Kallas Scholarship (2021).

Selected works

  • Leete, Art. Põhjarahvad antiigist tänapäevani: obiugrilaste ja neenetsite kirjelduste muutumine. Tartu: Eesti Rahva Muuseum, 2000.
  • Leete, Art; Niglas, Liivo; Barkalaja, Anzori. Põhjapõder arktilises kultuuris. Tartu: Eesti Rahva Muuseum, 2001.
  • Leete, Art. Kazõmi sõda: šamanistliku kultuuri allakäik Lääne-Siberis. Tartu: Tartu University Press, 2002.