On January 14, it became known that Olga Galaktionova had stepped down as director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts and taken over the Tretyakov Gallery. She was replaced at the museum by Yekaterina Pronicheva, daughter of former Border Service chief Vladimir Pronichev and sister of the former head of the Tretyakov.
Galaktionova led the museum for just under a year: she had been appointed on January 17, 2025. The publication notes that, unlike previous heads of the Pushkin Museum, she does not have a formal art history education. Before moving into the museum sector, Galaktionova worked in television, then ran the Galaktika film company, and in 2021 became head of ROSIZO.
“A personal friendship with the minister is cited as the reason for Galaktionova’s appointment. But the real reason is that she showed a very high level at ROSIZO,” art historian Ksenia Korobeynikova wrote.
According to Novaya Gazeta Europe’s source inside the museum, the director took a long leave soon after her appointment, and communication with her often went through secretary Stanislava Tsolina, whose manner drew complaints from staff. The same source said Galaktionova warned that “sabotage” would be dealt with harshly and threatened consequences for leaks.
One of the most notable decisions under the new management was the cancellation of an anti-war exhibition of trophy art that had been planned for May 9 by former director Yelizaveta Likhachyova. It was replaced by the project “The Museum’s Feat.” At the same time, the museum opened exhibitions on prints, 16th-century Dutch engraving, the “New Masterpieces of the Pushkin” project, and in December shows on Marc Chagall and “August Ones. Dolls.”
Staff also complained about changes to benefits, higher ticket prices, and reduced bonuses. During Galaktionova’s tenure, the museum lost three branches — the Baltic, Ural, and North Caucasus branches. The press service said the move was linked to a strategic review, but the new institution mentioned in that context never appeared.