The National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) in Athens has launched a new thematic series called 'The Cosmopolitans,' featuring three shows dedicated to Greek post-war avant-garde figures: composer Jani Christou, multimedia artist Niki Kanagini, and painter Stathis Logothetis. This follows previous year-long projects, including 'Why Look at Animals? A Case for the Rights of Non-Human Lives' and 'What if Women Ruled the World?' The museum, located in the former Fix brewery, is also redisplaying its permanent collection under the title 'South by Southeast' and preparing a major group exhibition curated by director Katerina Gregos in December.
EMST's journey has been fraught with challenges since its establishment by parliament in 1997, including financial crises, leadership changes, and a troubled building renovation. Despite these obstacles, under Gregos's directorship since 2019, the museum has emerged as one of the most politically engaged contemporary art institutions in Europe. Its success demonstrates how a public museum can thrive amid adversity, using thematic, socially conscious programming to build a distinct identity and international relevance.