Mobile Museum of Art announces appointment of new Director for the Mobile Museum of Art
Posted on: December 12th, 2022
Mobile Museum of Art announces appointment of
new Director for the Mobile Museum of Art
Mobile, AL – The Board of the Mobile Museum of Art announced that following a year-long, national search, they had selected Jon Carfagno, Executive Director at the Hickory Museum of Art (Hickory, NC) as the next Director of the Mobile Museum of Art. He replaces retiring Director, Deborah Velders, who is concluding her 10th year at the Art Museum. Carfagno accepted the position in November 2022 and will assume the directorship effective February 14, 2023. Velders will remain at the MMoA until that time. Board Chairman (2017- 2022), Cory Adair notes of the appointment: “I am thrilled to welcome Jon Carfagno to the Mobile Museum of Art. Jon arrives with an impressive résumé and will be a great champion for art and culture in Mobile. I’m excited to see what Jon accomplishes at the museum.” Hayley Van Antwerp, who chaired the Board’s Search Committee adds: “The MMoA was fortunate to have a remarkable pool of candidates from across the nation apply for the Executive Director position, and the entire committee was impressed by Jon’s desire to more deeply connect the MMoA with our entire community . . . our region is in for a treat as Jon steps in as the leader of the MMoA.”
Mobile Museum of Art is a city and county-supported institution in the heart of Alabama’s fourth-largest city of 190,000 people. The facility was expanded in 2001 with a $15 million capital campaign and upgraded with another capital campaign for the Museum’s 50th Anniversary in 2014. MMoA was re-accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in November of 2022, following a rigorous year-long effort by the staff and Board of Directors.
Carfagno joined the Hickory Museum of Art as Executive Director in April 2017, steering the museum’s growth and evolution with the HMA team, Board, and volunteers to implement the HMA’s strategic plans and helped the institution exceed its financial and programming goals. Jon holds a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of Massachusetts and completed Kendall College of Art and Design’s MBA Certificate Program in Design and Innovation Management. His familiarity and expertise in programmatic development, community engagement, and strategic thinking were instrumental in building partnerships and connecting new audiences with the Hickory Museum of Art. Prior to his directorship at the Hickory Museum of Art, he worked in significant positions at the Grand Rapids Art Museum; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College. He served in multiple internships at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Worcester Art Museum, among other institutions.
Incoming Board Chair for 2023, F. Grey Redditt, Jr., adds: “We are indeed fortunate to have such a dynamic art professional as Jon take the helm of the Mobile Museum of Art. Jon has extensive experience in all aspects of museum operations – curatorial, educational, financial, and administrative – and will well complement the leadership the museum has enjoyed for the past ten years. With Jon’s vision and energy, we look forward to the museum further engaging with the community and enriching the culture of our city.”
About the Mobile Museum of Art
Open: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed: Monday, Sunday & all City Holidays
Langan Municipal Park | 4850 Museum Drive | Mobile, AL 36608 | 251.208.5200
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