Petition addressed to:
City leadership of Kecskemét, cultural leadership of Hungary
We, members of the Hungarian and international art community, supporters of the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét, and citizens committed to preserving cultural heritage, firmly protest against the elimination of the Studio's independence and its integration into another institution.
Nearly half a century of international prestige
- The International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét is not an ordinary local cultural centre, but one of the most respected international centres of contemporary ceramic art.
- Founded in 1977, it became a meeting place for leading ceramic artists through the vision and dedication of János Probstner and decades of international network-building. Preserving this legacy is our moral responsibility.
- Its significance extends far beyond the borders of Kecskemét and Hungary. Even during the Iron Curtain era, the Studio served as a cultural ambassador, connecting artists worldwide and strengthening Hungary’s position in contemporary ceramic art.
- It is an internationally recognised cultural brand supported by high-level university and research partnerships.
- Rather than absorbing and diluting this brand, the city should preserve, develop, and present it to the world.
Current issues
- Since 2012, the Studio has operated as part of the Kecskemét Contemporary Art Studios Nonprofit Ltd. (KKMM), a decision that has proven problematic and should not be repeated.
- Since August 2022, KKMM has been a subsidiary of Kecskemét Hírös Agóra Nonprofit Ltd., with both organisations managed by the same executive director.
- The International Ceramics Studio (NKS) and the International Enamel Art Workshop (NZA) currently operate within this structure at the Kápolna Street site.
- Together they hold invaluable contemporary art collections, including the NKS collection of nearly 4,000 ceramic works of international importance. Despite this cultural wealth, the institutional framework has become increasingly fragile.
- The decline of the International Enamel Art Workshop, which has operated without an artistic director since 2019, serves as a warning example that must not be repeated.
Professional autonomy and protection of the collection
- The Studio’s distinctive operating model is the foundation of its success. Internationally renowned artists cannot be attracted to an institution where professional decisions are subordinated to administrative or short-term economic considerations.
- The International Academy of Ceramics (IAC), a UNESCO partner organisation, has warned that losing independence and being absorbed into a general cultural institution would seriously damage the Studio’s international network, funding opportunities, and reputation.
- The future of the unique ceramics collection, built over decades and unmatched in Europe and beyond, is of particular concern.
- Although much of the collection is currently in storage, it remains an invaluable cultural treasure. It is an inseparable part of the Studio and must not be treated as a transferable asset or be subject to purely administrative decisions.
Reason
Our Demands
While we do not challenge the city’s efforts to optimise its institutional framework, we firmly insist that professional leadership, financial management, and stewardship of the collection remain independent and, preferably, autonomous.
1. Professional autonomy
The Studio’s autonomous operation, professional and financial management, and international network must be fully guaranteed. The International Ceramics Studio should continue to operate independently, transparently, and in a manner worthy of its international standing, under the leadership of a competent professional director. The proven work and expertise of the current professional leadership should be supported rather than undermined, ensuring continuity while embracing contemporary developments.
2. Professional decision-making
The authority to make decisions regarding artistic programmes, professional directions, and collaborations must remain the exclusive responsibility of the Studio's professional leadership.
3. Review of management suitability
We call for an independent evaluation of the current organisational structure and the competence of its management, as the merger documentation submitted clearly reflects a professionally unacceptable managerial approach to the Studio's future, mission, and significance. If the evaluation agrees with this, a move should be made towards autonomous operations.
4. Preparation of an independent impact study
A comprehensive retrospective analysis should be conducted to assess the actual professional and financial consequences of the management's decisions to date.
5. Retention of the original site and functions
The Studio should continue to operate at its historic Kápolna Street location, which it has occupied since its foundation, carrying out the functions defined in its original mission.
6. The inalienability of the collection
The owner or custodian should immediately initiate the process of declaring the unique collection of artefacts a museum collection of public interest. This would ensure its long-term preservation within the studio, safeguard it from dispersal, and make it accessible to the public as a shared cultural asset through a virtual museum.
7. Professional oversight of the collection
It must be declared that decisions concerning the future of the artworks may only be made with the involvement of representatives of the artistic and museum professions through appropriate professional forums.
8. Creation of a permanent exhibition space
The Studio's world-class heritage should be provided with a worthy opportunity for public presentation through the establishment of a permanent museum exhibition.
The International Ceramics Studio is not an administrative burden, but a unique cultural and international asset for the city of Kecskemét and for the Hungarian contemporary ceramic art community as a whole. It is a value that brings prestige, quality cultural tourism, and opportunities for development to the city.
We call upon the leadership and representatives of Kecskemét to keep the city's long-term interests in mind rather than short-term administrative considerations. Let us not allow bureaucratic decisions to endanger an institution that generations of dedicated work have made one of the most significant international centres of ceramic art in Hungary and beyond.
Let us protect the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét together!
Agreeing with the above, I hereby express my support.
Members of the Patronage Board of the “Legacy of János Probstner” Initiative
- Gábor Farkas, DLA – Ybl Prize-winning architect, member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA)
- Jóna Gudvardardottír – ceramic artist, widow of János Probstner
- György Kerényi – Pro Urbe Award recipient, civic volunteer and business owner
- Pál Sándor Lakatos – Munkácsy Prize-winning sculptor
- Ferenc Mikulás – Balázs Béla Award and Hungarian Heritage Award-winning producer, Honorary Citizen of Kecskemét, founding director of the Kecskemétfilm animation studio, member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA)
- Petra Probstner – architect, representing the Probstner family
Additional Supporters
- Bahget Iskander – Kossuth Prize-winning photographer
- Professor Emeritus György Fusz, DLA – Ferenczy Prize-winning ceramic artist, President of the Foundation for Contemporary Ceramic Art, former member of the Studio’s Artistic Council
- Mária Geszler – Kossuth Prize-winning ceramic artist, full member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (MMA)
- Zsolt Szegedi – ceramic artist
- Péter Erdei – recipient of the Liszt Prize and the Bartók–Pásztory Award; Meritorious and Excellent Artist
- Mária Horváth – Balázs Béla Award-winning animation director; Meritorious Artist
- Dániel Vásárhelyi – architect
- Zsuzsa Ugray – graphic artist
- Dr. Márta Németh Papp
- Pál Boros, DLA – architect, recipient of the Ybl and Kada Elek Awards
- Ervin Vass-Eysen – architect
- Imre A. Varga – painter
- Dr. Ferenc Bozsó – architect
- Mrs. Ferenc Bozsó
- Mária Láng – cultural development specialist, leader of civil society organizations
- József Kriston-Vízi – Pulszky Award-winning ethnographer and cultural mediator
- Mária Ramháb – retired library director, recipient of the Katona József Award
- Ilona Székelyné Kőrösi – historian, ethnographer, heraldist
- István Jakus – building services engineer
- Mrs. István Jakus
- Sándor Szabó – tárogató musician, choir conductor
- Ágnes Kalmár – art historian, retired chief museologist
- Albert Leskowsky – instrument maker, founder of the collection
- Kati Leskowskyné – beadwork artist
- Kata Kövendi Ittzésné – retired secondary school teacher
- Zoltán Libor – publicist and essayist
- Vera A. Fehér – photographic artist
- András Bruncsák – painter
- István Tubak – school principal
I just want to help