Nathalie Bondil speaks at a webinar organized by ICOM and the OECD

On April 10, Nathalie Bondil, Director General and Chief Curator at the MMFA, participated in the webinar Coronavirus (COVID-19) and museums: Impact, innovations and planning for post-crisis – a topic that couldn’t be timelier.

Held by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM), this webinar brought together the directors of leading international institutions along with OECD and ICOM representatives to give them an opportunity to share their perspectives with the museum community and offer potential solutions.

Among those proposed: for museums to become more involved in social integration. To this point, the Italian economist Pier Luigi Sacco and other participants commended the MMFA for its humanist vision. The institution was praised for its many education and wellness initiatives, particularly those held in the Michel de la Chenelière International Atelier for Education and Art Therapy.

Nathalie Bondil subsequently underscored the important social role of museums in uncertain times. Arguing that culture is an even more essential service during periods of confinement, she stated “When we are isolated, culture brings us together and provides a healthy distraction. Cultural establishments are more vital than ever to ‘uncage’ our spirits.”

Watch the recording of the webinar.

Photo Jean-François Brière