HERE, WE DIVE INTO THE BRILLIANT AND CREATIVE MIND OF MONICA RAMIREZ-MONTAGUT, THE POWERHOUSE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PARRISH ART MUSEUM, FRESH OFF HER EXCITING APPOINTMENT TO THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS (NYSCA).
What initially excited you about joining the Parrish Art Museum?
What initially brought me to the Parrish was its hybrid position, which still interests me today. We operate as a regional art museum and an arts education venue linked to a museum. A lot of the work that we do is constantly being compared to New York City museums. We operate in this hybrid position in these two geographies—locally and regionally—as part of this constellation of New York City museums. That interests me—operating in these two ecosystems with as much relevance is a great asset and challenge.
What are the biggest challenges facing the arts community, and how do you think the Parrish can help tackle those challenges?
I believe we are still grappling with the impact of the pandemic on cultural institutions worldwide. For institutions like ours that did survive COVID-19, we had a tremendous effect on the funding of our patrons. Many people changed their social habits during this time, and I think we’re still recovering from that. We’re still not where we were before COVID-19, yet the expectation is that we all overcome COVID-19.
How do you see your leadership at the Parrish making a difference for artists and the broader creative community?
I came to the Parrish understanding similar institutions at the periphery of big urban centers. My jobs on the East and West coast gave me a broader understanding of how different museums work. I understood that embracing local communities and artists was my priority at a regional museum. Since my tenure here, President Biden has nominated me to be part of the National Board of Museums and Libraries and the governor of New York State to join the Arts Council for the whole state. What’s interesting now is that through my work with these two agencies, I’ve observed how a museum, much like the Parrish, striving for local relevance, can achieve national and international visibility by excelling locally and contributing to critical national narratives.
What has influenced you the most in your approach to leadership?
My background in architecture has been a critical factor in shaping my approach to directing museums. It taught me the importance of creativity in designing something that serves the community long term while managing practical aspects like budgets and coordination. This perspective allows me to view the museum as an integral part of its community, analyzing the social and urban fabric before making decisions and ensuring we create deeply relevant exhibitions.
After leading the museum for over two years now, what have been your key observations or takeaways?
My key takeaway is that we have a devoted community of artists, donors and visitors who love and admire the museum. This support ensures we create a welcoming space, showing that they are as essential to us as we are to them. For the past two and a half years, we’ve intentionally made visitors feel welcome, regardless of their art knowledge, aiming for them to leave feeling illuminated or touched. A simple yet impactful example is the map at the entrance, highlighting the East End of Long Island and over 200 artists in our collection. This helps visitors, especially seasonal ones, understand the region’s rich artistic history and feel connected from the start. 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill,parrishart.org
Photography by: PHOTO BY LISA TAMBURINI
