Nathalie Bondil Receives Legion of Honor

Image courtesy for The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) congratulates Nathalie Bondil, its Director General and Chief Curator, who has been decorated with the prestigious Legion of Honor. At a ceremony at the Museum, Franck Riester, the French Culture Minister, presented Ms. Bondil with the rank of Knight of the Legion. The highest national distinction in France, the Legion of Honor celebrates people with outstanding achievements in their field.

Image courtesy for The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum is delighted with this honour, which recognizes its Director General's exceptional accomplishments and her substantial contribution to the world of culture.

During the ceremony, the Culture Minister praised Ms. Bondil's vitality and vision, "… [she] has put her boundless energy to work for the extraordinary development of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts." He reiterated the importance of her involvement in circulating and promoting artists of the Francophonie on the world stage, through blockbuster exhibitions such as The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk and through partnerships with numerous museums in France. "You have transformed this museum. It is much more than just a place for conservation and exhibition. It truly is an arts complex that is open to all — one that, thanks to you, has developed a unique international presence," he added.

Mr. Riester also commended Ms. Bondil for the influence of her humanist vision on the MMFA: "In its development, the Museum aspires to be a driver of social advancement. By seeking to provide access to culture to all, you have given it an inclusive and humanist mission. You make sure that Indigenous artists and those from diverse cultural backgrounds are given a prominent place, through programs and residencies. Since you are convinced art is a mode of expression that sparks dialogue, you advocate in favour of programming that explores society's big questions, as reflected in the themes you propose for exhibitions. You are also developing the Museum's universal accessibility, to make it a warm and inviting place where everyone feels welcome.