Radim Vondráček, the current director of its collections and research, will be the new director of the Museum of Applied Arts (UPM) in Prague starting November 1 for six years. She will replace Helena Koenigsmarková, who has been at the head of UPM for more than 30 years and who ended her work at this institution at her own request.
Radim Vondráček has worked at UPM since 1991 as curator of the graphics collection, then as chief curator and since 2019 as director of collections and research. The Minister of Culture Martin Baxa (ODS) informed about his appointment this Tuesday.
“Dr. Vondráček has been working at the Museum of Applied Arts for many years and had the opportunity to manage numerous work teams, whether in the role of expert deputy and deputy director of Helena Koenigsmarková or head of large-scale grant projects. He also worked in industry organizations, advisory bodies of the Ministry or scientific councils of museums and galleries. Overall, he acquired rich multidisciplinary knowledge during his practice, which he wants to continue to use for the benefit of this important institution,” said Minister Baxa.
Seven applicants applied for the position of UPM director. The Minister of Culture appointed 11 members of the selection committee. In addition to the oral interviews, the committee evaluated the proposals for the Development Concept of the Museum of Applied Arts in Prague, which the candidates submitted together with their applications for the selection process. “For the selection process, Radim Vondráček submitted a content-rich treatise on understanding the mission of the Museum of Applied Arts in Prague and the specific vision and future goals of the work,” noted Baxa.
The current director, Koenigsmarková, ended her tenure as UPM director after completing the three most important undertakings in the modern history of the museum – the construction of the Central Depository (2016), the reconstruction of the historical building (2017) and the opening of the new permanent exhibition ART, LIFE. Art for Life (2023). A significant success of UPM under the leadership of Koenigsmark was the reconstruction of the castle in Kamenice nad Lipou, which today houses an extensive exhibition of 19th and 20th century furniture design and toys, the construction of the Central Depository, the reconstruction of a historical building and the opening of a new permanent exhibition.
According to Vondráček, he would continue her work and lead the museum to the next stage of its development. “The aim of the museum now will be to make full use of the rich potential of the collections, knowledge and possibilities of the repaired historic building, while at the same time meeting the new demands of the contemporary world on the role and responsibility of museums. We would also like to renew the ambitious foreign program,” he said.
