Adam Budak has been dismissed from his role as director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK).
In a statement issued on 16 May, the city of Krakow announced the mayor’s decision to dismiss Budak, stating that deputy director Grzegorg Kuźma has been working as acting director since 12 May and that Adam Budak’s employment will be terminated at the end of his notice period on 30 June.
The statement gives the official basis for the dismissal as ‘the finding of improper performance of duties related to work organization and team management.’ The decision was based, ‘among other things’, on the results of an investigation and after completing ‘the required legal procedures’ (translated via Google Translate). According to reporting by the Polish news platform Onet, the investigation came after a complaint alleging misconduct signed by 37 employees was made to the City Hall.
Also on 16 May, Budak issued a statement of his own: ‘I am convinced that the decision to dismiss me from the position of Director of MOCAK has no legal basis and was made under time pressure. I am considering appealing the dismissal decision, while remaining open to dialogue with the Mayor’.
The artist and curator Robert Knoke has released a statement appealing for a reconsideration of his dismissal and urging for reconciliation ‘through a mediator’, while artist Paulina Ołowska launched a petition also calling for a reconsideration of the decision. According to the petition, artists Monika Drożyńska, Wilhelm Sasnal, Katarzyna Krakowiak-Bałka and Gabrielle Goliath have currently resigned their participation in MOCAK’s 2026–27 programme in solidarity with Budak.
