We know the new director of the National Museum in Szczecin

Agnieszka Bortnowska has been appointed the new director of the National Museum. She has served as acting director for the past few months. The museum is facing significant changes, including the reconstruction of the building on Wały Chrobrego and the creation of new exhibition space.

"I have repeatedly criticized this institution for being the only cultural institution under the provincial government that has not implemented any significant investments in the last decade, and therefore has not increased its attractiveness to audiences," said Marshal of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Olgierd Geblewicz when announcing the new director. "We know that a long-standing institutional problem for this institution was the fact that the main building was shared between the museum and the Contemporary Theatre in Szczecin."

This era is ending, however. The city is building a new headquarters for the Theatre in Łasztownia. This will allow for comprehensive thinking about what to do with the "vacated" building on Wały Chrobrego. As for the theater, the assumption is that the company will have to vacate the building on Wały Chrobrego by the end of 2026. Before performing at Łasztownia, a temporary venue will have to be found (as was the case with the Castle Opera, which operated in a hall on Energetyków Street during the castle renovation).

And one more thing.

- For many years I have been emphasising that the National Museum must become an attractive place of employment for researchers - said the Marshal.

Agnieszka Bortnowska announced that a funding agreement was signed in March, thanks to which the museum will host a permanent exhibition of 19th and 20th century art.

"This month or early next month, I'll be inviting you to a conference and tour, where I'll personally present the scope of the building's reconstruction and renovation," she told reporters. "After the theater moves out, a space will be created that we'll want to develop. Plans call for the creation of nearly two thousand square meters of new exhibition space."

Dr. Jarosław Lubiak, currently employed at the Academy of Art, has been appointed deputy director for content. He believes the National Museum is an institution where we tell ourselves who we are and who we want to be.

"I therefore hope that by expanding the infrastructure we will create better conditions so that, together with the team, we can develop new stories about our heritage and how to shape our common future," he said.

When Lech Karwowski, the long-time director of the National Museum, was retiring last fall, the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Board received a letter signed by representatives of the world of architecture, science, and art, recommending Dariusz Kacprzak, Deputy Director for Science, as acting director, describing him as "a man recognized in the highest circles of European science, art, and museums." However, the Marshal chose Agnieszka Bortnowska, who had previously served as Deputy Director for Administration. Dariusz Kacprzak resigned from the National Museum.

Now Agnieszka Bortnowska has been appointed director through a competitive process.©℗

Alan Sasinowski