Invests €100K in education and critical thinking, and joins the board

The Tesonet Foundation is becoming a strategic patron of the MO Museum – this year, the foundation will allocate €100,000 in support of the museum’s non-formal education activities, emphasizing the importance of developing critical thinking. This partnership also marks the introduction of a new Strategic Patron category within MO’s support structure. Tesonet board member and Nord Security CMO Toma Sabaliauskienė is joining the museum’s advisory board.

Investment in critical thinking

According to Simona Laiconaitė, Head of the Tesonet Foundation, the decision to support MO’s activities aligns with one of the foundation’s key directions – investment in education projects. MO Museum’s work with the education sector and its contribution to fostering critical thinking have been noticed by the Tesonet Foundation for some time.

“Societal resilience starts with critical thinking – the ability to distinguish facts from opinions in the flow of information. Therefore, alongside education, strengthening resilience is also one of the core directions of the Tesonet Foundation. The MO Museum has repeatedly shown courage and the tools to create measurable change, which is why in this partnership we see a real opportunity to turn a shared vision into tangible results,” says S. Laiconaitė.

MO Museum Director Milda Ivanauskienė emphasizes that this investment will allow for the continued development of the museum’s educational activities and impact measurement.

“Strategic patronage is an investment in a field where we are strong – our social impact research shows that the MO Museum has its strongest individual-level impact precisely on critical thinking. This competence is critically important in today’s world, so we value that companies like Tesonet act strategically not only globally but also locally, recognizing the potential of culture to strengthen Lithuanian society,” says MO Director Milda Ivanauskienė.

Alongside the continuation of MO’s cultural education programs and impact research, this support will allow the museum to increase the number of children participating in educational activities, strengthening their critical thinking and emotional literacy through art. It will also aim to expand the “Teacher Pass” community, which unites educators across Lithuania, offering not only free access to the museum but also professional development opportunities.

It is projected that in 2026, cultural education activities will additionally reach more than 1,500 teachers and around 3,000–5,000 students. 

Strengthening the board

Toma Sabaliauskienė, joining MO’s advisory board, will contribute to the development of the museum’s strategic goals, financial sustainability, and governance.

“We all have a pragmatic relationship with art – whether we like a work or not, it has the power to speak to us. Especially in business, technology, and marketing, art helps inspire new ideas and find original directions in strategy. The role of art in education is also very important, and I have no doubt that MO Museum’s non-formal education will continue to inspire students to see the world from different perspectives. That is why it is especially meaningful to contribute to MO Museum’s mission,” said investor, Tesonet board member, and Nord Security CMO Toma Sabaliauskienė.

Currently, MO’s advisory board consists of business representatives: Akola Group CEO and board chair Darius Zubas, Omnisend founder and CEO Rytis Laurinavičius, investor and board chair of Gemma and Lemon Gym Kornelijus Čelutka, Bioremedium director Roma Puišienė, as well as representatives of MO Museum founders – Vytautas Butkus and Nordwealth CEO Rokas Iščiukas.

New patronage category

Thanks to the products NordSecurity, Surfshark, Oxylabs, Mediatech, and CyberCare, the partnership with the Tesonet Foundation at MO Museum marks the creation of a new Strategic Patron category. According to MO Development Director Mindaugas Morkūnas, this category was introduced to ensure larger-scale long-term funding, with expectations that more names will join over time.

“MO Museum’s annual budget has grown from €1.2 million to €3 million. For 2026–2028, we have planned five high-level international exhibitions with institutions from Germany, Sweden, France, and other European countries. These projects will require an additional €1–1.5 million over the next three years. Therefore, the growth of the support and patron community remains crucial for MO’s capacity in the coming years,” he says.

According to M. Morkūnas, this program strengthens MO’s position in the region and contributes to Vilnius’ image as a contemporary cultural hub. The expansion of the patron community is also important in preparation for MO Museum’s 10th anniversary in 2028, which is planned to be marked with a joint project with one of Europe’s leading art museums – the Centre Pompidou in Paris.