Monica O. Montgomery, MA

Monica Montgomery dressed in a yellow and white blouse with her arms folded
Faculty

Museum Studies (MA)

Monica O. Montgomery is a transformational museum leader operating at the intersections of social justice in museums and diversity, equity, and inclusion to spark ecologies of promise. She is steeped in community engagement and dynamic outreach and strategies for socially responsive museums. Montgomery has extensive experience within museum administration, having honed her talents over decades in executive leadership (three museums), curatorial (40-plus exhibits), communications (two degrees), education, and dozens of public programs. As a keynote speaker, graduate professor, and consultant, she is a natural ambassador for Museum Remedy, regularly interacting with a creative milieu of artists, diplomats, neighbors, corporations, associations, scholars, educators, and donors to launch museum initiatives and sustain goodwill for cultural organizations. Montgomery forecasts sector insights to create embracing spaces in museums.

Biography

Monica O. Montgomery believes museums must be in service to society! She works to engage communities across Philly, New York City, and Washington, D.C, in programs around Black art, public history, and equity. She previously served as curator of social justice and programming for the FUTURES exhibit that celebrates the Smithsonian’s 175th anniversary. Montgomery has directed three historic houses and cultural centers and independently curated 40-plus social justice, contemporary art, and public history exhibits, experiences, and festivals, with renowned organizations like the South African Embassy, Washington, D.C.; Brooklyn Museum, New York; Portland Art Museum, Oregon; T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, Red Bank, New Jersey; Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn; Teachers College, Columbia University, New York; the Highline, New York City; and others. 

As a museum consultant, Montgomery works with myriad organizations on diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement, building diverse representation for BIPOC audiences and careerists in museums. Additionally, she is a professor who loves engaging students around the cutting edge of socially responsive museums. She teaches graduate courses about museums, community engagement, and social justice at renowned institutions like University of the Arts; American University and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Pratt Institute, Brooklyn; and New York University, among others. Montgomery holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Communication from Temple University, Philadelphia, and a Master of Arts in Corporate Communication from LaSalle University, Philadelphia.

Experience

Montgomery’s experience in museums and communities is vast. 

Website & Media 

… There is always light, If only we’re brave enough to see it

if only we’re brave enough to be it. – Amanda Gorman