Nathalie Bondil

Nathalie Bondil is a French-Canadian art historian, curator, and museologist.

Nathalie Bondil is a French-Canadian art historian, curator, and museologist. She was director general and chief curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts from 2007 to 2020, and since 2021 has directed the museum and exhibitions department of the Institut du monde arabe in Paris. Born in Barcelona, she has been recognized with multiple honours in Canada and France.

Early life and education

Bondil was born on 19 February 1967 in Barcelona, Spain, and grew up in Morocco before studying in Paris. She trained in art history and museology, including studies at the École du Louvre and the Institut national du patrimoine.

Career in museums

She began her museum career in Paris in the 1990s and joined the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in 1999. She became director general and chief curator in 2007, the first woman to lead the institution, and remained in that role until 2020. Her work at the museum included major expansion projects and large-scale exhibitions across art, music, fashion, and cinema.

Institut du monde arabe

In 2021, Bondil became director of the museum and exhibitions department at the Institut du monde arabe in Paris. Her work there has continued her focus on museum programming and cultural mediation.

Honours and recognition

Bondil has been recognized in Canada and France for her contributions to art and culture. Her honours include Member of the Order of Canada, Chevalier of the National Order of Quebec, and Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.