Above: Curator of Art Margaret Lynne Ausfeld leads a gallery tlak.
Overview
Founded by artists and arts educators in 1930, today’s MMFA staff continues to be a mix of makers, educators, and other museum professionals—a creative collective dedicated to art, visitors, and the design and delivery of engaging experiences that connect the two.
There are thirtysomething of us—some new to the enterprise, others here for decades, and others still have returned to the Museum after moving on and broadening their experiences elsewhere. We leverage this mix of fresh perspectives and deep institutional knowledge—mixed with creativity, command, commitment, and camaraderie—to work from a place of competitive advantage. Our practice is also distinguished by our “good to great” mindset—the drive to learn and grow as we go—with and from each other and ourselves.
We recognize that, like so many other museums, arts organizations, and other workplaces, we have long fallen short of recruiting and retaining staff whose identities and experiences mirror the public we seek to serve. With this in mind, today, we work with urgency to attract top talent whose life experiences deepen our capacity to understand fully the community’s needs and wants and connect meaningfully with those who reside in and visit the River Region.
The MMFA is a public-private enterprise, supported by both the City of Montgomery and the MMFA Association. While most MMFA staff are employed by the City, others are employed by the Association. Each vacancy posted notes if the position is City or Association and includes links to the appropriate application process for each.
Current Openings
Events Manager
The Events Manager oversees the conception, development, delivery, and assessment of the MMFA’s internal and external special events (fundraisers, festivals, performances, weddings, third-party meetings, etc.) Collaborates and coordinates with staff across the institution throughout the events management cycle in order to ensure the successful execution of all events hosted on museum grounds. The MMFA is a department of the City of Montgomery, Alabama, and the Events Manager liaises with the City for the presentation of certain events.
Preparator/Designer
This is professional and technical work handling, housing, and installing works of art in the Museum’s collection or on loan. The Preparator/Designer is a member of the Museum’s curatorial department, and works cooperatively with the curators and registrars. The Museum Preparator/ Designer is supervised by the Senior Curator of Art.
Assistant Preparator
The Assistant Preparator works together with and follows the direction of the Museum Preparator/Designer in accomplishing the daily tasks of art preparation in the Museum. Primary duties include assisting with moving, hinging, matting, framing, and installing works of art in the Museum galleries. Other duties include creating and installing signage in the form of labels, panels, and applying vinyl lettering. Basic painting, carpentry, and woodworking skills are required. Heavy lifting and working outside in the elements can be expected. The Assistant Preparator needs to have a good foundation of working with their hands and possess basic mechanical knowledge, be meticulous in attention to detail and in exercising care when handling works of art, and open to learning new skills.
Adult Services Manager
The Adult Services Manager is a museum educator position that focuses on docent and adult engagement within the MMFA Learning + Programs Department. The job roles include overseeing tour training, internships, adult programs, and local artist events.
Family + Community Services Coordinator
The Family + Community Manager is a museum educator position within the MMFA Learning + Programs Department that focuses on family and community engagement in the MMFA ArtWorks Interactive Gallery and Studios. The job roles include developing studio art workshops, professional development courses, family programs, and community outreach engagements that build long-term relationships with community partners.