Muzeum Barbary i Stanisława Ptaków

About the museum

The Muzeum Barbary i Stanisława Ptaków (Barbara and Stanisław Ptak Museum) is a permanent exhibition of the Theatre and Film Department of the Muzeum Historii Katowic (Katowice History Museum), run by the City of Katowice. It opened to visitors on 21 November 2011 in the former flat of the artist couple: stage and costume designer Barbara Ptak and actor and singer Stanisław Ptak. The flat has kept its original two-level layout with an internal staircase.

The building at ul. Kopernika was designed in the 1920s by Franciszek Manowski and completed at the end of 1930. Before 1945, the flats on the first and second floors formed one large apartment for the family of the general director of the “Pokój” steelworks. The lower level contained reception rooms with a drawing room and dining room, and the upper level had private rooms, a bathroom and a hall with a stylised ceiling.

The exhibition tells the story of the private lives and creative careers of both artists. It presents Barbara Ptak’s designs for theatre and film costumes and stage sets, together with costumes and photographic documentation of productions, as well as photographs from Stanisław Ptak’s stage roles, posters and costumes from the musical “Człowiek z La Manchy” (Man of La Mancha). It is complemented by family souvenirs, awards and distinctions, and objects the couple collected over the years.

The department also holds collections connected with the work of Konrad Swinarski and Ewa Starowieyska, as well as materials on theatre and film in Katowice. In the same space, the “Galeria pod 11” holds temporary exhibitions, film screenings, chamber performances and concerts.

Highlights

• Original two-level artists’ flat with an internal staircase
• Barbara Ptak’s costume and stage designs
• Costumes from the musical “Człowiek z La Manchy” (Man of La Mancha)
• Photographs, posters and documentation of Stanisław Ptak’s roles
• Private souvenirs, awards and collections of the couple

Permanent exhibition

• Muzeum Barbary i Stanisława Ptaków – Exhibition in the original artists’ flat: costume and stage designs, costumes, photographs, posters and private souvenirs of the couple.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Muzeum Historii Katowic (Miasto Katowice)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: every Tuesday – free admission to the permanent exhibitions

Holders of the Katowicka Karta Mieszkańca (Katowice Resident Card) pay half the standard and reduced prices for the permanent exhibitions. Free admission and reduced tickets are granted on presentation of the relevant documents.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition is on two levels of a flat in the upper floors of the building; both levels are connected by an internal staircase.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The department runs workshops for schools and kindergartens, as well as museum lessons.

Getting there & parking

From Katowice railway station it is about 5 minutes on foot, leaving by the Plac Andrzeja side.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit