IRA WAGNER.
Ira Wagner has been involved with the Montclair Art Museum for 25 years.
Before serving as Executive Director from 2020 through 2025, he was a Trustee of the Museum and served as Finance Committee co-chair and Treasurer. From 2016–2020, he worked with the Board and Staff in an advisory capacity.
During his time as Executive Director, Ira was committed to opening the Museum to all members of the community–welcoming new artists, audiences, docents, volunteers, and partners. Some of the initiatives undertaken during his tenure include the reinstallation of the Native American collection, the completion of the Museum’s DEAI Report and statement, the development of MAM’s Commitment to Indigenous Artists and Communities, an increase in accessibility programs, including the opening of the Cornerstone Café, collaborations with many community partners and groups, the creation of a regular rotation of photography exhibitions in the McMullen West Gallery, and the use of the Community Galleries to highlight local artists.
For Ira, the greatest joy in his role as Executive Director was making a real difference in many individuals’ lives–seeing artists grow, interns discovering their paths, students of all ages developing their creativity, families finding their home here, and individuals with disabilities achieving their creative goals and finding belonging within our programs.
Before becoming the Executive Director of MAM, after spending 27 years on Wall Street, Ira began studied photography and received an MFA from the University of Hartford in 2013. His photographs have been in the Washington Post and National Geographic. He also taught photography from 2013–2021 as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University. In addition to his MFA, he holds a BA from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.