Montgomery Museum
Casey Jenkins
Montgomery Museum of Art and History: A Catalyst for Local Economic Development By Holly Brinja Councilman Casey Jenkins, soon to be Executive Director of Virginia Associations of Museums, has spent the past decade, post-graduation from Virginia Tech, pursuing his passion for community and economic development. Casey Jenkins drive to increase the value of museums and the role they play in the community has developed through his career. At George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Mt. Vernon, Virginia, he recognized the value of what it can mean for the community to get diverse individuals to the same table for a common goal; Then, The Valentine in Richmond, Virginia, impressed the importance of displaying a city’s rich history and culture. Jenkins returned to Southwest Virginia and has been the Montgomery Museum of Art and History Executive Director since June 1, 2021. Throughout his tenure, the museum has seen a 280% increase in visitors and become an anchor for downtown Christiansburg revitalization. Jenkins said, “Museums should reflect their
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community. A place where there is something for everyone and everyone feels welcome.” The Montgomery Museum strives to remain vigilant and flexible to community needs now and in the future he stresses. To achieve long-term success, the museum couples individual investments and memberships with local business partnerships to provide community members access to the desired resources and education. In 2023, the Virginia Association of Museums awarded the museum the Innovation Award for its newest program, “Art of Happiness.” They’d heard local individuals of all ages seeking self-help mental health services. They pivoted their focus and forged the program to provide community members with a safe place to turn their personal mental struggles into works of art. Sessions included painting, sculpting, poetry, and