The Montgomery City Council is set to consider a new ordinance on Tuesday that could significantly restructure how the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is governed. The proposed measure follows months of public disagreement between city officials and museum leadership over authority, oversight, and operations at the city-owned institution.
According to WSFA, the ordinance would expand the museum’s board to 15 members, with six members selected from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association and the remaining nine appointed to represent each of the city’s council districts. The measure would also extend board terms from four to six years, limit members to two consecutive terms, and allow the appointment of up to five non-voting advisory members for one-year terms.
This legislative effort comes after an extended period of tension surrounding the museum’s leadership and structure. In early 2023, the museum’s director was placed on administrative leave by Mayor Steven Reed. That decision, reportedly made without consultation with the museum boards, marked the beginning of a broader conflict over governance and operational authority.
The MMFA is supported by two separate entities: the City Museum Board, a legally established body responsible for museum management, and the Association, a private, nonprofit organization that has historically been responsible for curation and fundraising. Disputes arose after the city asserted its legal authority over museum operations and cited past actions by the Association—such as contract approvals and billboard placements—as violations of city procedure.
In February, the City of Montgomery issued a public statement clarifying its position, emphasizing that the Association does not hold legal governance authority and asserting that recent conflicts had delayed the appointment of a permanent museum director. The city also referenced an opinion from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, which affirmed that the City Museum Board, with oversight from the City Council, holds the ultimate authority over museum governance, operations, and leadership appointments.
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In response, members of the museum’s Joint Board—including representatives from both the City Board and the Association—have pushed back against the city’s narrative. They contend that the museum has long functioned through a public-private partnership that balances both entities’ contributions, with the Association owning the museum’s art collection and playing a central role in exhibit curation.
The proposed ordinance and a separate governance agreement—both expected to be reviewed by the council on Tuesday—aim to clarify roles, responsibilities, and oversight structures moving forward. The agreement was previously presented at a council meeting in May but was postponed to allow more time for review and revisions.
The Montgomery City Council’s work session is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m., with the regular meeting following at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
