Executive director named for Montclair Art Museum

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair Art Museum has announced that Ira Wagner has been appointed the museum’s executive director. Wagner serves as the 10th director since the museum’s founding in 1914. 

Upon longtime Director Lora Urbanelli’s retirement last spring, Wagner stepped in as interim director, pending the arrival of a successor. When the pandemic forced the museum to shutter operations in March 2020 and suspend its director search, Wagner, along with staff and trustees, guided the museum through unprecedented challenges. MAM successfully preserved its human, physical and financial resources; pivoted to virtual operations; and launched both digital and programmatic transformations of curatorial, education and visitor services. While most public venues in New York and New Jersey remained in lockdown, MAM reopened with COVID-safe, hybrid operations starting in September 2020. Its exhibitions have since rebounded to prepandemic attendance levels.

Museum President Frank Walter said he believes Wagner is an ideal leader for the museum, in this community, at this time. 

“Ira combines hands-on experience as a Wall Street banker, nonprofit financial manager, university-level arts educator, practicing artist and published photographer. Moreover, Ira and his wife, Denise, raised their family in Montclair and, for more than 30 years, have been active supporters of this region’s cultural, education and civic organizations. Stemming from his 15 years as a trustee and prior positions as MAM’s treasurer and later director of strategic initiatives, he is situationally aware and respected by staff and trustees alike. His appointment was unanimously supported.”

Wagner said he is honored to step into this leadership role for the Montclair Art Museum, a cultural mainstay of our community for more than 100 years. “As interim director, I have seen over the last year the results of the hard work of an incredibly dedicated, talented and creative team of staff, board, instructors and volunteers that has enabled the museum to innovate, to remain connected with and even grow our audience. With their support, I look forward to building on the steps we’ve taken to continue to inspire our community with creative exhibitions and programming, and to serve as a place where the arts play a leading role in fighting the injustices in our society.”

Walter added, “I am delighted that my good friend and longtime partner has accepted this challenge. The board and I are excited about the museum’s future and have never been more confident in MAM’s leadership, financial position, and programmatic relevance to northern New Jersey.”

  Montclair Art Museum