Culture minister dismisses head of Prague’s National Gallery Alicja Knast

Culture Minister Oto Klempíř has dismissed Alicja Knast as director of the National Gallery in Prague, the news site Deník N reported, citing sources from inside the institution. The ministry is expected to announce a competition for a new director in the coming months.

The National Gallery will be temporarily led by Olga Kotková, who has until now headed the gallery’s collection of old art.

Knast took over the gallery in January 2021 for a six-year term. However, her leadership has long faced criticism from parts of the cultural community and the professional public.