Adam Budak has been appointed director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK). In a first for the institution, he was selected through a competition to fill the role.
Adam Budak obtained a degree in Theatre Studies from the Institute of Polish Studies at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków and in the History and Philosophy of Art and Architecture from Central European University in Prague. He has held multiple curatorial positions, including at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington DC, Manifesta 7, the Prague and Gherdëin Biennales and multiple national pavilions at the Venice Biennale. From 2014 to 2020 he was the artistic director and chief curator at the National Gallery in Prague, before joining the Kestner Gesellschaft, Hanover, as artistic director in 2020.
In his proposal submitted to the museum, Budak emphasised the importance of local context as well as art that is engaged with contemporary social, ecological and philosophical issues.
Speaking on his appointment, Budak said: ‘It is a great honour, as well as a responsibility, to take over the helm of such an important institution as MOCAK. I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the jury, the artistic community and the public, both local and international. I am aware of the specific obligations and challenges of running a museum in such complex times – times that require a redefinition of the role and mission of cultural and artistic institutions. MOCAK is one of the youngest institutions of contemporary art in the Polish artistic landscape and is still at the stage of developing its identity and shaping its profile.’
He will begin his new role on 14 July.
