Ola Baldych is an award-winning design executive with a proven track record of leading transformative creative projects in the museum and cultural sectors.
Currently the Director of Design & Exhibits at Poster House in New York City, she has spearheaded the production of over 40 exhibitions, expertly blending creative vision with operational precision. Her leadership has shaped the museum’s identity, ensuring that each project meets the highest standards of design excellence while enhancing visitor engagement in meaningful ways.
Photo by C. Shan Cerrone, courtesy of Poster House
A Leader in Creative Strategy
Ola’s expertise extends beyond design execution. She excels at crafting cohesive creative strategies that align with institutional goals and deliver impactful visitor experiences. From concept development to final installation, her hands-on leadership ensures meticulous planning and flawless execution. A seasoned collaborator, she works with curators, cultural institutions, and designers to bring innovative ideas to life while maintaining budgetary discipline and adhering to tight timelines.
Her ability to lead large-scale, award-winning projects has earned her recognition in the industry. Note-worthy exhibitions like Art Deco: Commercializing the Avant-Garde and Black Power to Black People have received accolades for their design excellence, showcasing her talent for pushing creative boundaries while upholding curatorial integrity.
Photo by Samuel Morgan, courtesy of Poster House
Strategic Vision with a Focus on Results
Ola’s leadership is defined by her strategic approach to managing creative teams and resources. She directs a multidisciplinary team of designers, fabricators, and installers, implementing streamlined workflows that enhance efficiency without compromising quality.
Ola expertly manages budgets, vendor contracts, and expense tracking to ensure projects are delivered on time and within financial parameters. Her ability to align creative goals with fiscal responsibility makes her a vital asset for institutions looking to maximize the impact of their cultural programs.
Photo by TJ Witham, courtesy of Times Square Arts
Driving Collaboration and Institutional Growth
A key part of Ola’s success is her ability to foster collaboration across institutions. As Chair of the West Side Cultural Network’s Design Committee, she has played a pivotal role in creating the West Side Fest aiming at revitalizing Manhattan’s West Side as a cultural hub, partnering with renowned institutions such as the Whitney Museum and The Shed.
Her leadership also extended beyond the museum setting when she co-led the #CombatCovid campaign, a citywide public art initiative that rallied designers to deliver messages of solidarity and public safety during the pandemic. The project has been acquired by the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, as part of their Responsive Collecting Initiative, highlighting its significance in conveying narratives about the urgency and resilience of the design community in 2020.
Photo by Filip Wolak, courtesy of West Side Cultural Network
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, & Inclusion
Ola Baldych’s dedication to diversity, equity, and civic engagement infuses her work with a focus on creating inclusive and accessible cultural experiences. She has taken concrete steps to ensure that exhibitions are accessible to all visitors, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. As part of the museum’s initiative on ADA-forward design, she has incorporated tactile stations, Braille texts, and accessible exhibition layouts, bringing the museum closer to full accessibility for all visitors.
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At Poster House, Ola developed a community inclusion system for commissioning exhibition posters, aimed at engaging graphic designers and artists from diverse backgrounds. This initiative highlighted talents such as Michelle Washington, Rush Jackson, Shehzil Malik, Jerome Harris, and Zipping Zhu, and led to the formation of the CMYK Council—an advisory board of diverse designers, creative executives, and educators.
Photo by Samuel Morgan, courtesy of Poster House
Ola Baldych is the creative leader cultural institutions need to elevate their design strategy and execute ambitious, large-scale projects. With a unique blend of creative vision, strategic planning, and operational expertise, she consistently delivers impactful results. Whether guiding organizations through complex projects or stepping into permanent leadership roles, Ola brings the insight, innovation, and leadership required to drive institutions forward and expand their reach.
From the left: Julia Knight, Poster House Founding Director, Seymour Chwast and Paula Scher of Pentagram, and Ola Baldych
Photo by C. Shan Cerrone, courtesy of Poster House