Interim National Gallery director removed to lead National Museum
Miloš Timko takes the helm at the National Gallery as Anton Bittner’s brief appointment ends.
Anton Bittner was removed from his position as acting director of the National Gallery on September 30, just seven weeks after his appointment. He will temporarily lead the Slovak National Museum (SNM), succeeding Branislav Panis.
Panis’s dismissal, announced on the same day, had been speculated upon over the summer. Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, nominated for the job by the far-right Slovak National Party, justified her decision to dismiss Panis, citing multiple ‘well-known management failures’. However, she did not elaborate on specific reasons. The ministry also noted that they see no need to provide a detailed public account of the dismissals of directors across various institutions, emphasising that such actions are standard political practice within all ministries.
The Culture Ministry stated that Bittner would oversee the museum until a selection process is established. The ministry highlighted his crisis management experience as essential for the role. “Bittner’s task as interim director will be to initiate organisational consolidation and address complex projects, particularly the ongoing reconstruction of Spiš Castle and Krásna Hôrka,” the ministry told the daily Sme.
Bittner, who assumed the gallery directorship on August 7 following the removal of former head Alexandra Kusá, lacks any background in the arts. His appointment was promoted by the ministry as a stabilising managerial move. However, he served less than 60 days in the role.
Upon his appointment, Bittner swiftly revoked free entry to the gallery, a protest measure enacted by Kusá after her dismissal. He also removed statements of support for the fired National Theatre director Matej Drlička from the gallery’s website and social media. Bittner’s leadership repeatedly faced immediate backlash, with former deputy director Alexandra Homoľová resigning shortly after his arrival. Bittner’s remarks comparing a current installation to period products raised eyebrows, as did his blame of the previous administration for leaks during a recent flood crisis, despite no artworks being damaged.
Reports on Monday indicated that a new director for the gallery, Silvia van Espen, is expected to be appointed in October, though she has not publicly commented on the transition. Van Espen is currently associated with the private gallery ZAHORIAN & VAN ESPEN.
On Tuesday, sources within the gallery confirmed to Denník N that Miloš Timko has been appointed as the new interim director of the National Gallery.
Timko has a connection to Bittner, having previously commissioned an audit of the gallery from him. Currently residing within the gallery’s premises, Timko and Bittner have a shared history from their time at Gastrometal, a company now in liquidation.
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