The new head of the Odesa Art Museum: the museum staff supports the decision

[ad_1]

The head of the Odesa Art Museum has changed – Museum employee Kateryna Kulay has become acting director. Whether the Museum staff supports such a decision – UP.Zhyttia asked the former head of the Museum Oleksandra Kovalchuk and the head of the scientific department of the museum Kyryl Lipatov for a comment. Oleksandra Kovalchuk, who since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine left for Boston (USA) and managed the Odesa Art Museum remotely, explained that the decision on the new director was made collectively. “We have been working harmoniously for a year in this format, but it is still difficult. The museum must have a manager who can solve tactical issues on the spot – it will be faster and easier for everyone. This whole procedure was in dialogue with me, with the museum staff, with the director of the Department of Culture of the Odesa Regional Council, with the Head of the Military Administration Marchenko, with the Chairman of the Regional Council Didenko, with the main patrons of the Marazli club – we discussed it all for a long time, thought it over for several months – it was a joint decision. I am glad that Katya agreed to take this responsibility on herself – because it is huge, especially during the war,” Oleksandra Kovalchuk explained. Oleksandra Kovalchuk managed the museum remotely. Photo: Courtesy of Oleksandra Kovalchuk Kateryna Kulai has been working at the Museum since 2016, at first she volunteered, and later, when the museum was headed by Oleksandr Roitburd, she was involved in the finances of the institution. Later, Oleksandra Kovalchuk helped. “In fact, Kateryna was involved in almost everything – she was my assistant in all areas of work in which I was involved. Katya is known to almost all donors of the museum, most of the members of the Marazli club are a community that helps in the development of the museum with annual contributions and various other fees. Katya is appreciated in the team, she is wise, fair and very balanced in her actions and decision-making. I trust her completely, Oleksandr Roitburd also trusted Kateryna,” Oleksandra says. Read also: From Ukrainian art abroad, petrikovka and pysanky are known – the director of the Odesa Art Museum, Oleksandra Kovalchuk, currently remains in the position of deputy director. “For me, the position was never of great importance – I worked as the deputy of Oleksandr Roitburd. I was the director, now I will be the deputy of Kateryna Kulay. At the same time, I continue to work for the museum – this is part of my mission for me. We stay together, we support each other. The museum will continue work in that strategic direction. Which was thought out and laid out by Oleksandr Roitburd – we continue to be the kind of museum that everyone has become accustomed to over the past few years. But administratively the museum, the team will be easier – when the manager is in place,” Oleksandra Kovalchuk explained. Kateryna Kulai became the new head of the Odesa Art Center. Photo: Museum Facebook Scientist Kyrylo Lipatov said in a comment to UP.Zhyttya that museum staff support the decision to appoint Kateryna Kulai. Read also: What gives Odesa the status of a UNESCO monument: Odesa activists evaluate He noted that Kateryna’s appointment is also related to revitalizing the offline work of the Museum. “Olexandra Kovalchuk is currently on maternity leave, this year most of the time she is in the USA. During the period when the museum was idle, it was possible to combine it. Her first deputy in charge of economic activities, Vitaly Hryznev, was acting. But now, when the museum is gradually opens. The number of exhibitions is increasing – another person is needed for the museum to work, even in such conditions, limited by wartime,” says Lipatov. He emphasized that the new leader, in particular, will have the task of “moving in the direction of Kyiv”. “There are urgent tasks that the new director must perform. The first is to prove the transition of the museum from a communal institution subordinated to the Regional Council to the Ministry of Culture – after the museum has received the status of a national museum in 2022. This requires special skills, which both me and Oleksandra, and the administration seems to be owned by Kateryna Kulai. Therefore, to a certain extent, this is a compromise figure with experience in the financial management of this large enterprise – it will help us work this year as we plan. Based on her special features, Kateryna seems to be able to maintain the team and I hope that at least this year, the museum will move in the direction of Kyiv,” commented Lipatov. Kateryna Kulay was appointed acting director of the museum until the end of martial law, after which a competition for the position of head will be held in the Museum. Read also: A sculpture of Catherine II lies in front of the entrance to the Odessa Art Museum, and photos of dead enemies are shown inside: report

[ad_2]

Original Source Link