SLOVAKIA     2005

Consultant: Sally Yerkovich

 

Bratislava

Sally Yerkovich, vice president of The Fund, attended a luncheon meeting in Bratislava with museum directors. This was in response to interest expressed by Slovak participants at The Fund’s Regional Museum Conference held in Bucharest in June 2005. The U.S. Embassy in Slovakia organized the meeting.

Attendees at the luncheon included the director of one regional museum, the deputy director of the Slovak National Museum, the directors of the National Gallery, the City Gallery, and the City Museum, two representatives from the Ministry of Culture, and three representatives from the US Embassy. The museum directors’ issues included increasing advertising, reaching people whose priorities are not culture, finding help with renovation and restoration and care of both facilities and collections, and the development of revenue (shops, cafes). There was a lively discussion about issues related to government funding and the need for advocacy and help. The museum representatives engaged the ministry representative in debate over funding issues and changing laws to make it easier for museums to receive other funding.

Ms. Yerkovich is following up with some attendees and with Lora Berg, cultural attaché, regarding the potential for The Fund conducting regional or city workshops in Slovakia.