Over the past two decades, Nathalie Bondil and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts have become synonymous. Indeed, in early July, the minister of culture and communications for the province of Quebec noted “the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is Nathalie Bondil!”
It is thus, the termination of Bondil’s contract, just three days later, comes as something of a surprise, even for 2020.
Bondil’s departure has two distinct interpretations. The first suggests the creation of a toxic work environment for which Bondil is blamed. The second considers her “insubordination” to have led to her firing.
Directors across the world have come to Bondil’s aid, with the director of the Louvre stating that: “no head of a museum should be treated like this.”
The government investigation has been launched into the firing of Bondil, and has been widely praised by Bondil and others. The former director notes: “The president rules the museum and does not respect checks and balances,” continuing that: “The investigation will help us understand the true reason for the firing decision.”
The inquiry is expected to take between three and four weeks, and current and former museum employees will be interviewed in order to gauge the situation.
For Bondil, the decision is in part a result of the pandemic. She notes: “I do think that there is something with Covid that has created an unusual emotional and professional environment.
“There is something with these virtual interactions which show the necessity of having direct connection.”
Bondil concludes: “I always say that I wanted to end on a high note. This isn’t a high note — it’s an explosive note.”
