Grażyna Maria Kulczyk[1] (Polish pronunciation: [ɡraˈʐɨna ˈkult͡ʂɨk]; born 5 November 1950) is a Polish lawyer, investor, art collector and philanthropist.[2] In 2015, she was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta for her contributions to Polish culture and the promotion of Polish art.[3]

Grażyna Kulczyk
Grażyna Kulczyk in 2021
Born (1950-11-05) 5 November 1950 (age 74)
Poznań, Poland
EducationAdam Mickiewicz University
Occupation(s)lawyer, investor, art collector
SpouseJan Kulczyk (div. 2006)
ChildrenDominika Kulczyk,
Sebastian Kulczyk

Education and career

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She graduated in law and administration from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.[4] Upon finishing her studies, she began to work in the Civil Law Institute at her alma mater. After a few years, she resigned and decided to pursue a career in business.

She is a supporter of contemporary art, avant-garde choreography and new technology and start-ups. She is particularly engaged in supporting entrepreneurship among women as well as the equal presence of women in STEM. She joined the board of the Modern Women's Fund Committee of the Museum of Modern Art, New York in 2015, and has been a board member of Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw for almost 10 years. In 2017, ARTnews magazine recognized her as one of the Top 200 Collectors in the world.[5][6]

Kulczyk was married to Jan Kulczyk with whom she had two children, Dominika (born 1977) and Sebastian (born 1980).[7] They divorced in 2006.[8]

In 2022, her net worth was estimated at PLN 1.9 billion (US$ 387 million) according to Wprost magazine, making her the fourth richest woman in Poland.[9]

Muzeum Susch

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Muzeum Susch, founded by Kulczyk, opened on 2 January 2019, in Susch, Switzerland.[10][11][12] It predominantly features works by renowned Polish avant-garde and contemporary artists such as Monika Sosnowska, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Piotr Uklański, Mirosław Bałka, Zofia Kulik, Paulina Olowska and Joanna Rajkowska.[13]

Art Stations Foundation / Stary Browar Nowy Taniec

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Since 2004, Kulczyk's Art Stations Foundation by Grażyna Kulczyk has been providing support to develop contemporary choreography through its performative programme based in Poznań, under the name Stary Browar Nowy Taniec / Old Brewery New Dance. Stary Browar Nowy Taniec is located at the Stary Browar complex in Poznan.[14][15][16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lista największych dłużników podatkowych na Słowacji. Grażyna Kulczyk: "zobowiązanie nałożono niezgodnie z prawem""". www.money.pl (in Polish). 17 March 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Magdalena Rigamonti: Grażyna Kulczyk. Pani na browarze (wywiad)". Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Odznaczenia dla twórców i mecenasów kultury". prezydent.pl (in Polish). 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. ^ ""Dwójce" stuknęło 90 lat. Wywiad z dyrektor II LO - .:LAZARZ.PL->poznański portal dzielnicowy:. Łazarz w z@sięgu myszki". lazarz.pl. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Grażyna Kulczyk -". ARTnews. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  6. ^ "Die zehn wichtigsten Player im Kunst-Business - Handelszeitung". Handelszeitung (in German). Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  7. ^ Poland's richest man, Jan Kulczyk, dies at 65, [1]
  8. ^ Domarecki, Paweł; Mielczarek, Adam (27 March 2008). "Rozwód z klasą, czyli rozstania w wielkim biznesie". Bankier.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Dominika Kulczyk i długo, długo nikt. Oto najbogatsze Polki według rankingu "Wprost"". bankier.pl (in Polish). 27 October 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Collector Grażyna Kulczyk to Open New Experimental Arts Space in the Swiss Alps". www.artforum.com. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  11. ^ Gerlis, Melanie (25 May 2018). "Can blockchain clean up the art market?". Financial Times. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  12. ^ "True to her word: Kulczyk's eagerly awaited mountain-top art museum opens to the public with 'feminist' exhibition". Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Muzeum Susch – "klasztor" sztuki nowoczesnej w alpejskiej dolinie". Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Polish collector Grazyna Kulczyk to launch sprawling contemporary art complex in secluded Swiss valley town". www.theartnewspaper.com. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  15. ^ Berendt, Joanna (30 November 2015). "Polish Philanthropist, Grazyna Kulczyk, Is Seeking to Open Museum in Warsaw". New York Times. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  16. ^ Adam, Georgina (7 March 2014). "Grazyna Kulczyk's collection on show at Boadilla del Monte, Madrid". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 December 2015.

Further reading

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