Head of Slovakia's Arts Support Fund Steps Down After Year of Turmoil

František Kornaj has officially stepped down as acting director of the Fund for the Support of Arts (FPU), Slovakia's main public body responsible for funding cultural and artistic projects. Kornaj, who held the position for one year in an acting capacity, departed amid sharp criticism from the arts community. The initiative FPU Slobodne — a civic group advocating for the fund's independence — stated that Kornaj leaves behind what it described as "complete devastation," citing severe personnel instability and significant backlogs in the fund's operations. The FPU plays a central role in distributing state support to artists, cultural organizations, and creative projects across Slovakia, making its effective functioning a matter of broad concern for the country's cultural sector. Kornaj's departure raises questions about the fund's leadership stability and its ability to process grant applications in a timely manner, with the search for a permanent director expected to follow.