One hundred employees at the Slovak National Gallery (SNG) resigned on Monday, citing incompetence and harmful leadership under acting director Jaroslav Niňaj.
Among the resignations are half of the gallery’s curators, most of the marketing staff, and members of its dramaturgy board.
The SNG, a key institution in Slovak culture, houses a diverse collection ranging from medieval religious art to contemporary works.
But staff say that Niňaj, appointed in November 2024, is leading the gallery into crisis. They accuse him of lacking the qualifications for the role and of creating a toxic work environment.
“I’ve personally experienced his rudeness,” one resigning employee told TVP World. “On one occasion, he filmed me on his phone without my consent and refused to stop when I asked him to.”
The unrest began in August following the dismissal of Alexandra Kusá, a respected director who led major renovations at the gallery.
Kusá’s removal, reportedly linked to political differences with Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, sparked widespread discontent within the institution.
Among those who resigned is Dr. Dušan Buran, head of the Old Art collection.
Buran’s planned international exhibition was canceled after Austrian partners raised concerns about the SNG’s leadership.
“Dr. Buran was supposed to curate a major exhibition, but our Austrian partners sent a letter expressing concerns about the management under the current leadership,” said former employee Zuzana Dzurdzikova. “As a result, it has been called off.”
The crisis at the SNG has raised new concerns across other Slovak cultural institutions.
Branislav Panis, former director of the Slovak National Museum, warned that similar unrest could spread.
“We fear that February will be as difficult for us as it is for the SNG,” Panis said. “While funding for exhibitions and renovations is available, we wonder whether there will be enough skilled professionals to manage these resources effectively.”
The SNG, a key institution in Slovak culture, houses a diverse collection ranging from medieval religious art to contemporary works.
But staff say that Niňaj, appointed in November 2024, is leading the gallery into crisis. They accuse him of lacking the qualifications for the role and of creating a toxic work environment.
“I’ve personally experienced his rudeness,” one resigning employee told TVP World. “On one occasion, he filmed me on his phone without my consent and refused to stop when I asked him to.”
The unrest began in August following the dismissal of Alexandra Kusá, a respected director who led major renovations at the gallery.
Kusá’s removal, reportedly linked to political differences with Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, sparked widespread discontent within the institution.
Among those who resigned is Dr. Dušan Buran, head of the Old Art collection.
Buran’s planned international exhibition was canceled after Austrian partners raised concerns about the SNG’s leadership.
“Dr. Buran was supposed to curate a major exhibition, but our Austrian partners sent a letter expressing concerns about the management under the current leadership,” said former employee Zuzana Dzurdzikova. “As a result, it has been called off.”
The crisis at the SNG has raised new concerns across other Slovak cultural institutions.
Branislav Panis, former director of the Slovak National Museum, warned that similar unrest could spread.
“We fear that February will be as difficult for us as it is for the SNG,” Panis said. “While funding for exhibitions and renovations is available, we wonder whether there will be enough skilled professionals to manage these resources effectively.”
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