The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts continues to chart a dynamic path as it welcomes a new chapter in its leadership. Former director Marina Loshak, who steered the museum with a steady hand and a clear vision, reflected on her tenure and shared how she views the institution’s next phase through the lens of the person who will lead it. Her remarks were conveyed on the museum’s Telegram channel, offering followers an intimate glimpse into the transition and the principles guiding it.
Under Loshak’s stewardship, the museum consistently pursued growth and reinvention. The institution stated that its purpose during her tenure was to stay in constant development, exploring fresh forms of expression and creating more meaningful exchanges with audiences and professionals alike. This emphasis on audience engagement and professional collaboration shaped many curatorial decisions, educational programs, and public events that broadened the museum’s reach and impact.
Loshak has publicly articulated a personal credo centered on continuity and evolution. He asserted that a decade is a long horizon for a director, yet the museum has momentum. He described a future filled with projects and ideas aimed at thriving in new conditions and dynamic contexts, while maintaining the fundamental goals: art accessible to everyone, new meanings emerging from familiar works, and hopeful visions for the future.
Regarding succession, Loshak emphasized the importance of renewal. He explained that the next leader should arrive with fresh energy, new perspectives, and ambitions that build on the foundation laid by predecessors, ensuring a seamless continuation of ongoing initiatives and a renewed drive for innovation.
On March 21, Marina Loshak stepped down from the directorship of her own accord. Elizaveta Likhacheva was introduced as the new head of the museum, bringing her own experience and leadership style to guide the institution through its next era. The transition marks a thoughtful handover, with the aim of preserving core strengths while inviting new approaches to display, research, and public programming.
Prior to taking the helm at the Pushkin Museum, Likhacheva had discussed her role at the Museum of Architecture, reflecting a career characterized by cross-disciplinary collaboration and a commitment to expanding access to culture. Her background suggests a leadership ethos that values dialogue across fields and a responsive approach to evolving audience needs, which is expected to inform her direction for the Pushkin as it continues to evolve in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.