MONTGOMERY—According to a statement by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) board on Tuesday, a conflict between MMFA board members and Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed is responsible for an ad featuring President Donald Trump's popular "Make America Great Again" slogan pasted over a picture of the infamous Bloody Sunday in Selma that went viral last week.
The photo appeared on at least one billboard observed by 1819 News. The ad had the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts name pasted at the bottom. MMFA officials have said the board did not authorize the decision. The billboards were quickly removed after 1819 News published a story about them.
Members of the MMFA's joint boards released a statement on Tuesday night addressing the recent controversy, revealing that they were in conflict with Reed over the museum's administration.
"Last month, a billboard created by For Freedoms appeared with Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts' name on it. The work of art stirred controversy, which has raised legitimate questions about the management of the Museum. Historically, the Museum has been under the administration of a joint board comprised of the City Board, appointed by the Montgomery City Council, and the private MMFA Association Board. On February 4, the two boards met jointly and concluded that the time has come to acknowledge publicly a conflict between them and the Mayor's Office over the administration of the Museum that has existed for two years now," the board members stated in the release. "In February 2023, City officials placed the Director of the Museum on administrative leave, without consulting the boards. Since then, the Mayor's Office has effectively exerted control over the operation of Museum without meaningful board consultation. Both boards have expressed their opposition to the unilateral assumption of control by the Mayor's Office, but in an effort to achieve a harmonious resolution, they have refrained from publicly acknowledging this conflict while discussions have continued."
MMFA board members continued, "The public-private partnership between the City and the MMFA Association for administering the Museum has existed for almost a century. Under this system, we have built an outstanding Museum for a city of our size and attracted enormous public support. We provide world-class art for free in a beautiful setting for our community and its visitors. This model of governance is also consistent with standards of the American Alliance of Museums, the body by which we are accredited."
"The billboards and a number of other pressing issues now compel the boards to acknowledge publicly that they have not been permitted to exercise their proper governance responsibilities. The boards believe these issues, and especially the absence of a full-time, permanent Museum Director for two years, illustrate the problems caused by the abandonment of our historical practices of governance. The boards remain committed to achieving a harmonious resolution for the continued progress of the Museum. But, given the many pressing issues and the absence of any sign of cooperation by the Mayor's Office, the boards decided—with sadness and regret--that it was time to acknowledge this conflict over the administration of the Museum publicly. Members, visitors, supporters, and taxpayers deserve to know what is happening," MMFA board members said in the statement.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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