Czech Culture Minister Abruptly Dismisses Director of Prague’s National Gallery, Sparking Debate Over Transparency and Politics
Czech Culture Minister Abruptly Dismisses Director of Prague’s National Gallery, Sparking Debate Over Transparency and Politics
Prague, Czech Republic – March 21, 2026 — In a move that has sent ripples through the Czech cultural sector, Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř has dismissed Alicja Knast as Director General of the National Gallery in Prague (NGP). The decision, announced this week, comes months before the end of Knast’s six-year term and has prompted criticism from former officials and cultural commentators for its lack of public explanation.
Knast, a Polish cultural manager, assumed leadership of the prestigious institution on January 1, 2021, following a competitive selection process under the previous Social Democrat-led culture ministry headed by Lubomír Zaorálek. Her tenure coincided with efforts to stabilize the gallery after a turbulent period marked by internal challenges and public scrutiny. During her time in office, the NGP reported strong visitor numbers, expanded international collaborations, and advancements in digitization initiatives—achievements Knast highlighted in her response to the dismissal.
“I was not expecting this,” Knast told Czech Television shortly after the announcement. She described the gallery’s performance as “excellent” and expressed surprise at the timing, noting that the institution had been making steady progress across key metrics. According to sources close to the matter, Knast indicated the minister sought “a completely different direction” for the gallery, though specific reasons for her removal were not detailed publicly.
Klempíř, a member of the right-wing Motorists party who assumed the culture portfolio last year, thanked Knast for her contributions to stabilizing the institution following earlier difficulties. The ministry has not issued a formal press statement elaborating on the rationale behind the dismissal, which occurred on Thursday, March 19. Instead, the National Gallery’s spokeswoman, Jana Holcová, confirmed the change to the Czech News Agency (ČTK), stating that Olga Kotková—currently head of the Old Masters collection—would serve as interim director.
The abrupt nature of the move has drawn sharp reactions. Former Culture Minister Martin Baxa (Civic Democrats, ODS) described it as “highly unusual” and urged that such decisions warrant a public press conference to provide clarity and justification. Jan H. Vitvar, culture editor at Respekt magazine, echoed this sentiment in comments to Czech Radio, criticizing the absence of transparent communication from the ministry.
Experts note that while the dismissal is legally permissible—Knast’s term was set to conclude at the end of 2026—the handling has raised questions about political motivations, given the shift from a center-left to a right-leaning administration overseeing cultural institutions. Some observers within the Czech Republic have framed it as potentially partisan, though no concrete evidence of ideological conflict has been publicly presented.
The National Gallery Prague, one of Central Europe’s leading art institutions, houses vast collections spanning medieval to contemporary works and plays a central role in the country’s cultural landscape. The gallery is scheduled to open its new season next week at the Trade Fair Palace, an event that will now proceed under interim leadership.
The Ministry of Culture is expected to launch an open competition for a new permanent director in the coming months. In the interim, the focus remains on continuity as the institution navigates this leadership transition amid ongoing debates about governance, transparency, and the future direction of one of Prague’s most important cultural landmarks.
As the art world watches closely, the dismissal underscores broader tensions in how political appointments intersect with institutional autonomy in the cultural sphere.
