Executive Director Transition At The Missoula Art Museum
The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) is entering a significant chapter in its history as our esteemed Executive Director, Laura Millin, steps down after 35 years of visionary leadership. The entire MAM team— board, staff, and major stakeholders—are strategically guiding the leadership transition process and are working together to establish the strongest possible foundation for new leadership.
“I am incredibly proud of how MAM has grown into a vital cultural hub for our community and a leader in contemporary art in the region. In 1990, I could not have predicted that I would be here today and have succeeded at these endeavors. It is, of course, only because of the commitment of the board and staff to MAM’s mission, artists, and audiences that we have accomplished so much.”
Laura Millin, MAM Executive Director.
MAM’s Board of Directors has established a committee, made up of members of the board and community, to select a new leader for MAM. The Transition Committee is tasked with developing and conducting a rigorous search for a new Executive Director and is committed to finding a leader who will continue to build on this legacy. The Transition Committee plans to post the position in late January or early February of 2025.
Transition Committee members:
Board Members Kate Sutherland and Montana James, Committee Co-chairs; Matt Gibson, Board of Directors, President; Josh Gimpelson, Board of Directors; Libby Addington, Board of Directors; and volunteer community members: Leslie Dallapiazza, Corwin Clairmont and Molly Murphy Adams.
This committee will recommend a candidate to the Board of Directors, who will review the recommendation and make the final hiring decision.
Missoula Art Museum serves the public by engaging audiences and artists in the exploration of contemporary art relevant to the community, state, and region.
ABOUT MISSOULA ART MUSEUM
Laura Millin will step down as MAM’s Executive Director in June 2025. Under her tenure, MAM became a vibrant, community-centered institution, showcasing contemporary art from the Intermountain West and beyond. Laura and her team have worked diligently to expand free educational programming, expand and diversify the museum’s collection, elevate Indigenous artists, and complete a major building renovation—all while ensuring free admission and fostering meaningful community partnerships.
In 1975 the Missoula Art Museum (MAM) opened its doors to the public in the historic Carnegie Library building and just over a decade later, was awarded accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum established its endowment in 1989. MAM has grown into a leading regional contemporary art museum with a national reputation. Today, MAM is celebrated for hosting exhibitions by noted contemporary artists and supporting emerging talent through diverse programming. MAM has always embraced audacious goals and initiatives.
MAM’s Renovation and Expansion 2005
On a very cold day in January 2005, Millin and the MAM team broke ground on a long-held dream to renovate, restore, and expand the museum’s building. To fund this effort, Millin took on the largest capital campaign in MAM’s history raising $5.3 million, which provided critical accessibility and technology upgrades, created designated educational classrooms and added 60 percent more gallery space to the museum. MAM was reborn as a state-of-the-art museum and continued to welcome guests free of charge.
MAM’s Art Park 2017
In 2017, MAM established Missoula’s first downtown public sculpture park in partnership with the City of Missoula and neighboring businesses, expanding the museum’s gallery and educational space outdoors. The Missoula Art Park is creative place-making at its best, it connects nature and art to people where they live, work, and recreate. It brings diverse people together to energize and rejuvenate the streetscape. While the Missoula Art Park is an external expression of MAM’s commitment to contemporary art, it also embraces the values of Missoula residents. Rooted in a collaborative effort, the Missoula Art Park enhances our downtown community and contributes to our sense of place.
WHAT MAKES MAM SPECIAL?
Local Government Funding Since 1975
Bedrock support from local government has been critical to MAM’s development and sets MAM apart from museums statewide. Executive Director Laura Millin has prioritized securing and enhancing the ongoing partnership with the City and Missoula County. The museum is pleased to recognize the City of Missoula and Missoula County as major funders since 1975. MAM manages the Missoula County Art Collection, as well as its own collection.
35 Years of Education Program Expansion
The 1990s at MAM were marked by an institutional shift in perspective to view the work it did as education-focused and community-based. MAM’s educational philosophy is to empower all audiences to engage with contemporary art and artists, opening a unique and accessible pathway to learning about current issues and ideas of our time. MAM actively invites people of all backgrounds, abilities, and interests to engage with contemporary art, foster their creativity, build community, and catalyze civic engagement.
Commitment to Contemporary Indigenous Art
Inspired by gifts and the leadership of artist/activist Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith, MAM made an institution wide commitment to collect and exhibit Native artists. The Contemporary American Indian Art Collection (CAIAC) was founded in 1997, and less than a decade later, as MAM’s expansion was being planned, Millin met with Tribal elders and Indigenous artists from the region to consider the creation of a gallery dedicated solely to contemporary Indigenous art. Thus, the Lynda M. Frost Gallery was dedicated, ensuring that Indigenous artists will always have a voice and place at MAM. This gallery is MAM’s commitment to American Indian artists and to presenting their work in an educational and respectful way. Since 2006, the Lynda M. Frost Gallery has held over 50 exhibitions and featured more than 100 Indigenous artists while the CAIAC has grown to represent over 250 artists. Together they represent more than 60 Tribal affiliations from across the country.
MAM collects, preserves, exhibits, and researches art that is relevant to the culture of the our region with an emphasis on contemporary Montana artists.
Established in 1997, the Contemporary American Indian Art Collection distinguishes MAM nationally and has grown to encompass over 250 artists, through careful, guided development.
Commitment to Community Culture
MAM fosters a culture of curiosity and wonder, reaching out to all audiences with open-ended questions and accessible language. The museum believes that engaging with art is a life skill, empowering individuals to connect with art anytime, anywhere. MAM works in partnership with dozens of community organizations each year to build dynamic programming. Thanks to the generosity of MAM members and donors, admission is always free. MAM funds bus transportation for Tribal and rural communities in surrounding counties and delivers distance learning programs across the state, making educational outreach more inclusive.
MAM is driven by a professional, dedicated, and collaborative staff who work tirelessly to support the museum’s goals. Their strong ties to the Missoula arts community ensure a thriving and vibrant cultural environment. Additionally, MAM incorporates talented teaching artists into its education programs to inspire and engage visitors of all ages.ngage visitors of all ages.
Current Initiatives
MAM actively stewards its building together with the city, which owns the property, and will complete a 3-year energy efficiency upgrade in spring 2025 with the addition of a vestibule on the front of the building. In conjunction with MAM’s 50th anniversary year, MAM is currently launching the Heart and Soul of MAM Campaign to ensure the longevity and vibrancy of the museum.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
The Transition Committee is guided by MAM’s mission and vision as we embark on this exciting new chapter. We welcome your thoughts and questions about the transition—please share them by emailing transition@missoulaartmuseum.org.
Thank you for supporting the Missoula Art Museum. Together, we celebrate this extraordinary institution and legacy and look forward to shaping a vibrant future for MAM. The position will be posted in late January or early February of 2025. Links to apply will be available here.