The international arts community has rallied behind Alexandra Kusá, the former head of Slovakia’s National Gallery, after she was abruptly fired earlier this month. Over 360 artists, gallerists, and curators have signed an open letter condemning the dismissal and urging the reinstatement of Kusá.
Kusá was fired by Slovakia’s Culture Minister, Martina Šimkovičová, who cited “several managerial failures” as the reason. However, many within the country believe the dismissal was politically motivated, particularly given the timing of Kusá’s removal. She was fired shortly after Šimkovičová took office last October, following a change in government. The current government is a coalition formed by the left-wing nationalist Smer party and allies, including the ultranationalist Slovak National Party (SNS).
The open letter, signed by prominent figures in the international art world, including Karola Kraus, the general director of Vienna’s mumok modern and contemporary art museum, and Sebastian Cichocki, chief curator of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, argues that the dismissal undermines the independence of the Slovak cultural field and damages the reputation of Slovak culture internationally.
The letter also highlights the positive contributions of Kusá during her tenure, emphasizing her focus on enhancing the National Gallery for visitors and the broader art world. They denounce the allegations against her as vague and fabricated, noting that her family background, which was used as a reason for her firing, was known at the time of her appointment in 2010.
Kusá and her supporters are calling for a reversal of the decision and a return to the principles of artistic freedom and independence within Slovakia’s cultural institutions. The situation has raised concerns about the potential influence of political agendas on the country’s cultural sector and the future of artistic expression in Slovakia.
