Laura Kipper, director of the Estonian National Museum, said there was confusion with the competition. She does not know whether they were looking for a museum director or a building manager. Kipper said that if they were looking for a museum director, the commission should have a museum expert.
She wrote on social media that it is strange and saddening. She does not understand why managing 570 square meters of office space requires more skills than serving museum visitors.
Rita Valge, director of the Estonian Road Museum, was surprised that the competition did not reach the museum community and there were no museum experts on the commission. In addition, the commission included both the supervisor and a subordinate of the selected candidate. Therefore, this cannot be a coincidence.
The Estonian Museums Association sent an appeal to the ministry. They requested a review of the competition's legality and impartiality.
Valge said Heidi Jõks's appointment justification is strange. The ministry said Jõks has 'long years' of museum leadership experience. In Valge's opinion, results matter, not time. She believes this contradicts the museum law.
Valge praised Heidi Jõks. She introduced new funding models at the museum and won awards. Valge does not understand why the leadership change is happening.
Mariann Raisma, director of the University of Tartu Museum, wrote on social media that the competition was for the Natural History Museum director, not the building manager. She said if they were looking for a museum director, this should have been clearly stated in the job advertisement.
Raisma said large museums have about 150 employees. The Natural History Museum building has 570 staff positions. This is a leap to new quality. She thinks this concerns a building manager rather than a museum director.
Raisma added there was lack of communication. Half a year before opening a new museum, this shouldn't be done without informing staff. She wrote that scandal is sadder than gratitude.
Raisma said it's strange. The new museum will open soon and it will be Estonia's largest museum. She doesn't understand why the project got into such a difficult situation.