The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) has announced that Dr. Gail Stavitsky, its Chief Curator, will retire on July 1, 2026, after a tenure of more than 30 years. Stavitsky joined MAM in 1994 as Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, was promoted to Chief Curator in 1998, and curated over 200 exhibitions, including landmark shows such as "Cézanne and American Modernism" (2009) and "Matisse and American Art" (2017). Her recent exhibitions include solo shows for vanessa german and Tom Nussbaum, and she co-curated "Shifting Terrain: Perspectives on Land in North America." She also oversaw major acquisitions and the care of the museum's collections of George Inness and Morgan Russell.
This retirement marks the end of a transformative era for MAM, as Stavitsky was instrumental in shaping the museum's curatorial identity, expanding its national reputation, and deepening its commitment to American and Native American art. Her departure creates a significant leadership gap at a regional museum that has gained prominence under her guidance, and her successor will need to build on her legacy of scholarly exhibitions and collection development.