Estonian Museum Union Criticizes Nature Museum Director Competition

The Estonian Museum Union has strongly criticized the competition for the position of director of the Estonian Museum of Nature, which is soon to open in the Noblessner quarter of the capital. The union claims that the new director chosen is a Ministry of Climate official with no museum experience.

In a letter to Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt and Chancellor of the Ministry of Climate Marten Kokk, the union calls for a review of the competition's legality, impartiality, and potential conflicts of interest. The letter notes that the competition commission consisted exclusively of Ministry of Climate managers and employees, with no independent experts in museums, memorial institutions, environmental education, or nature conservation. The commission included both the winner's direct supervisor and a subordinate.

The union considers this composition raises legitimate questions about possible conflicts of interest, equal conditions for candidates, and the independence of the decision. In the public sector, selection procedures must be impartial and inspire trust both in substance and in the eyes of the public.

The union also questions the requirements for candidates – no museum management experience or vision for developing the Estonian Museum of Nature as a memory and scientific institution was required. The competition announcement was not sent to the Museum Union and was not distributed in professional museum networks.

The union expects the Ministry of Climate to justify the commission's composition and selection process, explain how potential conflicts of interest were handled, and conduct an independent review of the competition's legality and impartiality.

The letter emphasizes that selecting a state museum director is not just an internal ministry personnel matter. The museum is an institution of memory, science, education, and culture providing public services, so the selection of its leader must be professional, independent, and include sector expertise.

The union noted that the Estonian Museum of Nature is a successful, innovative, and outstanding museum. Its current director, Heidi Jõks, has led the museum for 15 years, preparing the concept and exhibitions of the new museum, moving collections, and transitioning the organization to a significantly larger workspace. The union believes her replacement at this stage requires clear and publicly understandable justification.

In the competition organized by the Ministry of Climate, Riina Roosipuu, a ministry employee who previously headed the TV tower and Eesti Loto, was chosen as the new director. Thirteen candidates applied, four of whom were invited for interviews with the selection commission. The director was confirmed by Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt on the commission's proposal.

The current director Heidi Jõks' five-year term expires on November 30. She first became director on December 1, 2011.

The "House of Nature" being built in Tallinn near the Seaplane Harbour consists of three buildings connected by an underground floor. Besides the nature museum, several institutions related to the Ministry of Climate and the Language Department will find a home there. The building was designed by architects Siiri Vallner, Indrek Peil, Kristel Niisuke, and Ko Ai from the Kavakava architecture firm.