Strife at the art museum
Le Devoir has the scuttle on strife at the Fine Arts museum, where there’s a power struggle involving the flamboyant director, Nathalie Bondil. Bondil has been in that job since 2007 with a contract ending next year. I get a sense that with ventures like this, the top people always wear out their welcome after a point – it’s almost inevitable that there will be factions fomenting discontent, sometimes building to the point where they’re forced out.
Su 12:36 on 2020-07-09 Permalink
So it would seem that Mary-Dailey Desmarais has had a special position created just for her within the museum administration? Even though she came 4th in a qualification round. And Nathalie Bondel, a person qualified to be a Louvre administrator in 2013 has agreed to this posting.
Or did I not understand the article?
Kate 12:46 on 2020-07-09 Permalink
You did. A little googling finds that Mary Dailey Desmarais is married into the Desmarais clan which means big money and power in this town.
Su 13:33 on 2020-07-09 Permalink
Hmmm. So how much taxpayer subsidy is given to this Museum I wonder. And how does Mary the new co curator decide which private art collections are showcased?
So many unanswered questions in these situations.
Patrick 14:24 on 2020-07-09 Permalink
Interesting this emerges just as the Signac exhibition (which looks fabulous) is getting a lot of press. On the MBAM website, it’s Bondil who “presents” the show, but I’ve seen several other sites where the focus is on Desmarais, the curator. I’ll be interested to see who’s left standing at the end of the day.
Su 14:54 on 2020-07-09 Permalink
The MMFA is an nonprofit, and does not receive public funds. I was surprised by this fact.
So goodluck to them …no concern of mine.
Orr 15:20 on 2020-07-10 Permalink
Tax deductions for museum donations are “public funds.”
I found this an interesting commentary on the superrich taking charge of art institutions. There is a whiff of this here.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/14/opinion/sunday/modern-art-museum.html