Montenegro’s Museum Director Faces Scrutiny Over Housing Costs

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Montenegro has come under scrutiny for its decision to cover the rental costs of a residence for its director, Vladislav Šćepanović. According to the State Audit Institution, this arrangement lacks a legal basis and raises concerns about financial governance within the museum. Initially, taxpayers were responsible for a monthly rental fee of 650 euros, which increased to 700 euros following a contract amendment.

In June 2023, the museum’s council, led by its president Zdravko Delibašić, committed to resolving the housing issue for Šćepanović, a non-resident director, through a rental agreement in Podgorica. This decision, however, has drawn criticism for being made without clear statutory authority, as highlighted in the institution’s audit report.

The audit revealed that the council’s decision to finance the director’s housing could fall outside of its prescribed legal framework. The council cited Article 19, Paragraph 2, Point 12 of the Law on Culture as a basis for their actions, which outlines the council’s responsibilities. Nonetheless, the audit concluded that there is no explicit law or regulation permitting such financial commitments.

On July 1, 2023, the museum signed a lease agreement with a private individual for a furnished two-bedroom apartment measuring 67 square meters in the Preko Morače neighborhood. The contract was set for one year, with an option to extend, and included a deposit equal to the monthly rent. The agreement explicitly states that the apartment is to be used solely for the director’s personal residence, with the museum covering all rental expenses, including notary fees.

The rental arrangement was later extended through amendments to the lease. An amendment in June 2024 extended the contract until July 1, 2025, while another in June 2025 further prolonged it until July 1, 2026, with the monthly rental fee increasing to 700 euros.

The audit report emphasized that decisions lacking statutory authority could lead to arbitrary governance, distancing the management system from legal compliance. In response to these findings, the museum stated that the council’s decision was the “only way” to address the director’s housing needs after the government appointed a non-resident director. However, the audit stressed that such claims do not exempt the council from adhering to legal and statutory obligations.

The State Audit Institution recommended that the museum’s council ensure all decisions fall within the scope of its legal authority, especially when incurring financial obligations. It advised that any actions taken must align with existing regulations and clearly define responsibilities through internal documents.

In a separate disclosure on March 27, 2023, Šćepanović reported an income range of 1,607.63 to 1,725.82 euros during the reporting period. Additionally, he earned 13,500 euros through various jury roles, including serving as commissioner for the Montenegrin Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The report also disclosed property holdings, including two apartments in Serbia and a 2023 Jeep Compass purchased with proceeds from previous sales.

As the debate continues over the museum’s financial decisions, the implications for public trust and institutional governance in Montenegro’s cultural sector remain significant.