MMFA Announces New Director

Approaching its centennial in 2030, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts has announced its next director.

Guy C. Vanderpool has been selected following a national search, bringing more than three decades of museum leadership experience to Montgomery. For the past decade, Vanderpool has served as Director of Development and Communications at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, Texas. In one of the nation’s premier institutions, Vanderpool has been integral in expanding community engagement. Before joining the Amon Carter he spent twelve years leading the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in Texas.

“Montgomery has long understood that the arts are an essential part of a thriving city and a strong community,” Mayor Steven L. Reed said. “As the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts approaches its 100th anniversary, we have an opportunity to build on an extraordinary legacy while thinking ambitiously about its future. Guy brings the experience, vision and commitment to public service that can help MMFA reach even more people in Montgomery and beyond. We are excited to welcome him back to Alabama and to our city.”

Vanderpool’s storied career includes leading museum renovations, government affairs, and connecting to tourism. In addition to welcoming more citizens for meaningful experiences, restoring the Museum’s presence beyond her walls, and reaching more tourists, his experience will be essential to strengthening the Museum’s facility and public private partnership. Vanderpool’s leadership in the field, including positions with the American Alliance of Museums and publications, embodies the spirit of art museums as places for discovery, self-expression, and connection to art and others.

A National Search

Search Committee Co-Chair Steve Russell said of the appointment, “The City Museum Board, with the MMFA Association Board, is proud of the effort put forth to find an exceptional new leader after a national search that resulted in many excellent candidates for the position. As the unanimous choice of the Search Committee and both boards, Guy Vanderpool brings outstanding museum management skills honed over the last three decades of museum leadership. The boards, the staff and all the MMFA members and sponsors welcome Guy and stand ready to help him be the leader we need to engage everyone in the River Region to enjoy the quality experience the MMFA provides. We welcome all citizens of the area to come meet Guy and get to know him and all that your MMFA has to offer.”

The search committee was co-chaired by Bill Ford, President of the MMFA Association Board and past Chair of the City Museum Board, and Russell, Vice President of the MMFA Association Board and a recent appointee to the City Museum Board. As a City employee working within MMFA’s public-private partnership, Vanderpool will report to the City Museum Board and Director of Cultural Affairs Dr. Jennifer D. Dobbs. He will also work closely with the MMFA Association Board.

Ford noted, “I am extremely pleased that after two years and a comprehensive national search conducted by a highly reputable firm, the search committee comprised equally by members of the City and Association Boards of the MMFA have unanimously chosen this extraordinary individual, Guy Vanderpool as the new head of the MMFA. This choice was affirmed by the Cultural Affairs Director, Dr. Jennifer D. Dobbs, representing the Mayor’s office. I want to thank all the parties involved in this momentous decision, and enthusiastically welcome Mr. Vanderpool to this city that we all love so dearly. The future of the MMFA is brighter than ever and the citizens of Montgomery and the River Region are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of the choice.”

Megan Lewis, Senior Principal, of Kittleman & Associates in Chicago partnered with the Museum’s leadership and gained a deep understanding of the Museum, Montgomery, and the qualities needed in the next Director to lead recruitment efforts. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. Kittleman recruits leaders for the entire nonprofit sector, including museums and historic sites, foundations, public gardens and human services. For more information visit www.kittlemansearch.com. 

A Return to Alabama

For Vanderpool, coming to Montgomery also represents a return to the state where his museum career began, at the Center for Southern History and Culture at the University of Alabama. Now, decades later, he returns to Alabama to lead one of the state’s major cultural institutions.

“I am honored to join the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and lead the Museum into its next chapter,” Vanderpool said. “The Museum’s mission to provide compelling experiences centered on human creativity and engaging the community through outstanding exhibitions and educational programs aligns with my career experiences and commitment to serving the public. I look forward to working with Mayor Steven Reed, Dr. Jennifer Dobbs, the City and Association Boards, as well as the staff, supporters and community members as we build upon the Museum’s great past and extend its impact in Montgomery and beyond.”

Dobbs said, “I am excited about the opportunity ahead for the Museum, its staff and the community we serve.”

MMFA’s Next Chapter

Vanderpool arrives at an important point in MMFA’s history. He will lead strategic planning and fundraising in collaboration with Mayor Reed, Dr. Dobbs, the Museum’s staff and its two boards. Together, they will work to build on MMFA’s history, strengthen its connection to the community and guide the institution into its second century.

MMFA is a department of the City of Montgomery and operates through a public private partnership. The City funds MMFA as a municipal department. It is also supported annually by the City of Montgomery, Montgomery County, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association, steward of the Museum’s collection.

The Museum’s spectacular holdings of American art are accented by other important collections, the ArtWorks Interactive Gallery, and the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden. Admission is free to the public along with most programs, supported by the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All Program. The Alabama State Council on the Arts is also a generous supporter.

MMFA is looking ahead to a roaring twenties gala this winter and is planning a retrospective Willie Cole: My Brand is History to open in spring, 2027, with a chance for members of the public to collaborate with the artist. Supporters of the exhibition include the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and institutional donors.

Vanderpool looks forward to these and many other opportunities for MMFA to connect with the public it serves. The new director will also have the chance to recruit several key leaders, including a Deputy Director, Director of Development, and Curator of Art.

As MMFA prepares for this leadership transition, the Museum also recognizes and is grateful for the leadership and dedicated service of Museum Director Alice Novak throughout the search process. Her work helped provide continuity for the Museum, its staff, programs and community. She looks forward to helping Vanderpool get connected to donors and the City of Montgomery.

Vice Chair of the City Museum Board and Immediate Past President of the Association Board Dr. Laurie Weil shared, “During the transition to a new permanent Director, Alice Novak, serving as Museum Director, provided extraordinary leadership to support MMFA’s staff, sustain strong relationships with City and County officials, promote MMFA’s multi-faceted offerings to citizens and tourists and strengthen donor support.  With unfaltering commitment, Alice will be available to assist Guy as he begins his new post.”