The new rector of AVU after Topolčanská, who resigned, should be known in March

Prague - The new rector of the Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) following Marii Topolčanská, who resigned in October, is expected to be known next March. The academic senate will elect the school's leadership from the proposed candidates on March 5, and the winner is expected to take office on March 24, the school announced today in a press release. Candidates for the rector position, who can be proposed by any member of the academic community, must submit the necessary documents by January 14.

Topolčanská resigned from the position of rector in mid-October, and since then, the acting leadership has been taken over by the new vice-rector for academic affairs, Šárka Krtková, who was appointed by Topolčanská. According to the AVU statute, the vice-rector for academic affairs is authorized to manage the school in full capacity until a new rector is appointed.

The election of the rector candidate is announced by the academic senate according to the school’s internal regulations, which elected a five-member electoral committee from among its members on October 23. This committee will ensure that the academic community of AVU is informed about the elections and will organize the election process and pre-election meetings. The names of the candidates who have accepted the nomination for rector will be published on January 20, the school stated.

Topolčanská informed about her resignation at an extraordinary meeting of the senate in October, which addressed a proposal for her dismissal. According to the minutes of the meeting and the proposal signed by 17 individuals from AVU, the rector repeatedly attempted to bypass the academic senate, downplayed problems, and collaboration with her became unsustainable. Shortly before that, all four vice-rectors resigned, justifying their decision by stating that their views on management and communication diverged too much from Topolčanská's approach. However, they denied that their departure was related to a petition criticizing Topolčanská for inadequately handling her position and lacking expertise and experience in the field.

The Academy of Fine Arts is the oldest art school in the Czech Republic, founded in 1799. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in the field of fine arts. Students can choose from various fields, including painting, sculpture, or drawing and graphics.