In Conversation with Julie Muniz
Tell us about your background:
For the first fifteen or so years of my career, I worked in the museum field. I received my MA from the Bard Graduate Center in NYC, studying design history and material culture. From there, I started working in museums—first at the Connecticut Historical Society, then at the MFA, Boston. Eventually, I was offered a curatorial position at the Oakland Museum of California, which brought me back to the West Coast, where I grew up.
Curation jobs are very competitive, but even after working my way up the ladder, I finally had to admit to myself it wasn't making me happy. I left the museum world 9 years ago and started working with small design-led companies and arts foundations, helping them preserve their archives and build out their collections. I really wanted to find another way to use my talents. It took a while, but I eventually landed on cultural insights and strategy.
Trends and qualitative insight is not a career path I would have thought of when I started my career, but it so perfectly aligns with my creative talents, as well as my background in social and design history.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
I wish I had a stronger sense of myself and what I really wanted to do. I knew I was on the wrong career path for a while, but it was hard for me to admit museum work wasn't making me happy.
Best career advice you've ever received?
It's not so much advice but more a skill taught to me by an early mentor--learning to edit. People think curation is an additive process, but it's really the opposite. To be a good curator, you have to be able to cut what isn't working--if you try to include everything you love in an exhibition or collection, you lose the story. Instead, you must only include the pieces with the strongest impact to the story you are trying to tell. Even though I no longer work in museums, I still use this skill regularly.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
To me, the best leaders recognize they can't lead if no one is willing to follow them. They value their people and show support and recognition.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Pivoting my career after 50.
And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so that would be a Patagonia jacket.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliemuniz/
Website: www.juliemuniz.com
Instagram: @jumu.julie
