Călin Dan appointed Director of Museum of Contemporary Art, Bucharest
MNAC – The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Bucharest
The Palace of the Parliament, wing E4
Izvor St. 2-4
050563 Bucharest
Romania
The open competition organized by the Romanian Ministry of Culture for the position of General Director has been won by international artist and curator Călin Dan. His vision is that of a moving and dynamic institution, with the mission to manage the recent history of visual arts, to stimulate artistic creation and moderate the local artistic scene.
Călin Dan (b. 1955) has studied art history and theory in Bucharest, and has been active since 1976 as a journalist, art critic, art historian, cultural manager and artist. Some of his previous appointments include chief editor of the Arta magazine; artistic director of the Soros Centre for Contemporary Arts, Bucharest; artistic director for rich media platforms at Lost Boys Interactive, Amsterdam; consultant at the Netherlands Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture. He co-authored the educational strategy of the new media department in the Art University of Bucharest, developing an extensive activity in art education and research. During the ’90s, Călin Dan has played a leading role in promoting Romanian visual arts through writing and exhibitions. His experience as a curator, art critic and artist recommend him as an authority at an international level. He is co-founder of the art group subREAL and has also developed an important solo artistic career.
Călin Dan will assume managerial and artistic leadership of MNAC, working closely with the staff and with guest curators and researchers towards the implementation of an overall renewed strategy, following three main directions: increase the Museum’s visibility both in Romania and abroad; initiate strategic alliances meant to promote Romanian art internationally; establish partnerships with similar institutions from Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, in order to achieve visibility and create a platform for the recent art history of the region.
Together with the Friends of MNAC association, MNAC will work towards a stronger relation with the private sector, in order to support high-quality events and increase the permanent collection with landmark art works.
Located in three different buildings and running complementary programs, MNAC aims to become one of the main hubs for contemporary art in the former Eastern bloc, encouraging meanwhile a thriving Romanian art community. While the venue in the Palace of the Parliament will be dedicated to the exploration of the Romanian recent art history, the other two—situated in the city centre—will host collaborative international events and laboratories for young visual and urban culture.
