Competitions have been held in Lviv for the posts of heads of three municipal cultural institutions. Following the selection process, leaders were chosen for the theatre centre “Slovo i holos” (Word and Voice), the “Voskresinnia” (Resurrection) Theatre and Music School No. 1 named after A. Kos-Anatolskyi.
The selection panel recommended appointing Olha Khoma as Director of Music School No. 1 named after A. Kos-Anatolskyi. Ihor Bilyts, a director and playwright, was chosen to head the “Voskresinnia” Theatre. The artistic research and educational centre “Slovo i holos” will continue to be led by its founder and former artistic director, Nataliia Polovynka.
The meetings of the selection panels were held in an open format to ensure the transparency of the procedure. The selection followed established stages: from the submission of documents by candidates to open meetings featuring presentations of institutional development programmes.
The panels included representatives of the Department of Culture, staff of the respective institutions and members of the public. Lviv City Council stresses that this competitive system makes it possible to bring in new professionals with modern approaches to management and supports the renewal of the city’s cultural institutions.
The City Council notes that Lviv already has positive experience of working with managers selected through open competitions. In particular, this concerns the Lviv Organ Hall, the Lesia Ukrainka Lviv Academic Theatre, the Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life in Lviv named after Klymentii Sheptytskyi, the Memorial Museum of Totalitarian Regimes “Territory of Terror” and other institutions where, following competitions, new working formats have emerged, visitor numbers have increased, and programmes and partnerships have expanded.
Since the introduction of the competitive procedure under the Law of Ukraine “On Culture”, 34 competitions have been held in Lviv in the field of culture between 2016 and 2025. The City Council emphasises that open competitions are seen as a development tool that makes it possible to attract people with new ideas, a contemporary vision and a willingness to take responsibility for results.
It is also reported that, at a recent session, deputies of Lviv City Council appealed to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications with proposals to improve legislation on holding competitions for the posts of heads of cultural institutions. Among the proposals are clearer requirements for forming selection panels, minimising external influence on their decisions, clarifying criteria for panel members and candidates, introducing a system for assessing institutional development strategies, and regulating competition procedures under martial law.