Former SNG director Alexandra Kusá (r) and former SND director Matej Drlička (l) during a press conference outside the Slovak National Gallery in Bratislava on August 7, 2024. (source: TASR)
The day after criticising the dismissal of the national theatre director, Alexandra Kusá also found herself out of a managerial job at the Slovak National Gallery.
“The reasons are simple: the minister doesn’t want to cooperate with me.,” Kusá told the Sme daily. “There’s nothing in the dismissal decree.”
Kusá had worked as a curator at the Slovak National Gallery (SNG) since 2000 before becoming its director in 2010. Under her leadership, the gallery completed an extensive and long-delayed renovation costing €79 million, the largest public building investment in Slovak history, which even garnered praise from abroad.
Visitors can leave a message of support on the gallery’s courtyard fence
Visitors can create their own note or pick up a free piece of paper at the café in the national gallery in Bratislava to write what they like most about the SNG.
Source: Slovak National Gallery (SNG)
The Culture Ministry, led by right-wing nationalist Martina Šimkovičová, a nominee of the Slovak National Party, cited “unacceptable conduct” by Kusá during the gallery’s renovation as the reason for her dismissal. The ministry pointed to alleged managerial failures and a conflict of interest, accusing Kusá of being the daughter of a partner in the company that initially won the renovation contract. According to the ministry, Kusá, as director, signed amendments to the 2005 contract with the firm managed by her father, Martin. The ministry also criticised Kusá for the recent presentation of Slovakia at the Venice Biennale, claiming that Slovak culture and art were insufficiently promoted at the event.
