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dr Olga Wysocka

Director
olga.wysocka@wok.art.pl
(she/her)
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I am a political scientist by training, having obtained my PhD in political science from the European University Institute in Florence. In pursuit of my fascination with the phenomenon of populism, I went on to research the causes of its occurrence in Poland. The subject continues to be my primary area of interest. As a recipient of the Józef Tischner Fellowship at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, I explored the topic of populism in Central and Eastern Europe. I also learned much during my fellowship at the Leadership Academy for Poland.

My innate curiosity about the world and people inspired my choices and paved the way for the diverse experiences and opportunities I pursued. Before joining WOK, I worked at Zachęta – National Gallery of Art as Deputy Director (2018–2022), observing ideologically-inspired changes in the institution’s management in 2022. I worked as Deputy Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute (IAM) from 2014 to 2018 and managed international projects at the IAM from 2010 to 2014 (Polish Presidency of the EU Council and Poland – Turkey 2014). I gained unique managerial experience there and worked with an amazing team. In the early days of my career, I worked at the Polish Institute in Berlin and collaborated with the editorial team of DIALOG. Polish-German Magazine. I bring the experience gained in such diverse places across Europe to WOK.

I have been living on the ‘other side of the Vistula’ in Warsaw for ten years now. To me, the daily crossing of the river has a metaphorical dimension. I love the diversity and multidimensionality of the Polish capital but also enjoy the squawking of seagulls at the seaside. Lately, I have been practising mindfulness and endorsing the ‘sitting still like a frog’ approach.

 

Photo by KANAPLEIDIKI

By this author

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Stepping to a dance institution in Warsaw
At the Warsaw Observatory of Culture, in collaboration with the dance community, the Culture Bureau of the City of Warsaw, and the Museum of Modern Ar, we are developing a yearly pilot program at the Pavilion by the Vistula River. Our goal is to establish a dance institution in Warsaw.
Artistic and Research Projects
3 weeks ago
The Institutions of Culture Revolt
The guest speakers invited to a panel discussion about the international governance management practices for institutions of culture in the context of contemporary social and political challenges were as follows: Bart de Baere, long-time Director of the M HKA, or the Contemporary Art Museum in Antwerp, chairman of the Museum Watch programme and co-author of the "Governance Management Project", and Dr Aleksandra Janus, Director of the Centrum Cyfrowe, researcher and curator of cultural projects, co-author of the Museum Laboratory project.
Change: Institutions of Culture
10 months ago
Change: Institutions of Culture
Institutions of culture worldwide have found themselves at a watershed moment. They can pursue their mission and realise their growth potential at a time of unprecedented accumulation of negative external factors, which we have not seen for many years. On top of the challenges related to the development of technology, climate change, armed conflicts, and subsequent waves of migration, we now have to deal with the tensions connected with the populist turn and, as a consequence, the change of priorities in cultural policy.
Artistic and Research Projects
10 months ago

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