The National Gallery decided to do its own investigation into the directors’ expenses after there was an uproar about them in December of last year.
In December of last year, the National Gallery launched an internal investigation, which examined the travel expenses and representation expenses of its current management for the years 2017–2022.
The survey was conducted in January of this year. It reviewed the travel invoices and expense charges of the managers currently working in the National Gallery.
– The investigation is being conducted because the public has raised doubts about whether the National Gallery has used public money appropriately.
More detailed instructions on the spouse’s expenses
Kansallisgalleria now states in its press release that there is nothing to comment on the legality of the investigated expenses. The managers’ trips and expenses, as well as the reports made on them, were in accordance with the instructions.
Details could be found in the explanations of the invoices, such as the purpose of the expense or trip and the fulfillment of the National Gallery’s mission.
The report showed that the National Gallery needs to specify its travel and representation instructions in the future. For example, regarding expenses arising from the presence of a spouse and combining a vacation with a work trip, \”more detailed instructions should be made\ the report states.
The National Gallery includes the Ateneum Art Museum, the Sinebrychoff Art Museum and the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. They are all located in Helsinki.