Great Concordian: Jean-François Bélisle, director and CEO of the National Gallery of Canada

Jean-François Bélisle, BFA 04, MA 07, began his mandate as director and CEO of the National Gallery of Canada in July of 2023. The prestigious Ottawa-based appointment followed impactful roles at institutions like the Musée d’art de Joliette (MAJ) and Arsenal, the private Montreal-based art foundation that he also co-founded.

At the MAJ, Bélisle championed cultural inclusivity through exhibitions and community programs. His leadership helped elevate the museum’s profile significantly and also fostered meaningful exchanges on contemporary art and cultural representation.

Bélisle’s curiosity and interest in the arts was sparked, in large part, through his itinerant childhood as a diplomat’s son. Culturally vibrant spells in Côte d’Ivoire and Italy, in particular, helped to shape his outlook.

“I was a stranger in these distant lands at a formative period in my life,” he says. “It was a time of perpetual growth that changed how I saw the world.”

A year and a half into his tenure at the helm of what he describes as “a much larger machine than I’ve ever experienced,” Bélisle has been pleasantly surprised by the amount of freedom at his disposal.

He is also keenly aware of the outsized impact the federal institution has, both at home and abroad.

“Every decision we make has repercussions,” he says. “It’s an enormous responsibility, but an enormous privilege as well.”

As he continues to build his team and lead the National Gallery — a vast remit that has, unfortunately, left little time for curation, a situation Bélisle hopes to remedy soon — the Great Concordian is focused on a fundamental question: What does it mean to be Canada’s national gallery?

“Looking ahead, we’re dedicated to building partnerships and engaging with local communities across the country,” says Bélisle. “This collaborative approach is going to be essential in making what we do accessible and relevant to all Canadians.”

When you reflect on your time as a Concordia student, what stands out?

Jean-François Bélisle: Because I completed two degrees, I had two different sets of experiences.

For my bachelor’s degree, art history was a journey of self-discovery. The professors challenged my views and sense of the world at the time, which was pivotal. Then, returning for my master’s allowed me to refine my voice and build meaningful connections both locally and internationally, which prepared me for a career in the art world.

What are some of the factors that have enabled your success?

JFB: I’ve always believed in building things collaboratively. From organizing an international graduate conference while at Concordia to my current role at the National Gallery, teamwork has been an important throughline.

Mentors have played a significant role as well, providing guidance and opening doors, which is something I’ve tried to pay forward as I’ve developed my career. Martha Langford, to name one key person at Concordia, has been one of those mentors. She was a sounding board for me while I was doing my master’s, and helped me a lot, even beyond the walls of the university.

What advice do you have for students who may want to follow in your footsteps?

JFB: Don’t limit yourself. Scholarly and academic work is essential, of course, but so is amassing a wide range of experiences. So engage with others beyond your immediate field, participate in a lot of different initiatives and build a broad network of contacts.

Collaborate with others as much as possible. I can’t stress this enough. It really amplifies what you can achieve, especially in the arts and culture sector.

How does it feel to be a Great Concordian?

JFB: I’ve always credited Concordia with shaping my path, so being recognized this way feels like a full-circle moment.

Considering the calibre of the university’s alumni, I feel privileged to be among so many accomplished individuals. It’s quite humbling and surreal.