Royal Ontario Museum appoints Nicholas R. Bell as Director & CEO

TORONTO, February 25, 2026 – Following an extensive international search, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas R. Bell as Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 6, 2026. Originally from Vancouver, B.C., Bell comes to ROM from Glenbow in Calgary, Alberta, where he has served as President & Chief Executive Officer since 2019. As ROM Director & CEO, Bell will lead the Museum’s finances, operations, and capital expansion projects; foster a culture of creativity and innovation; and advance the strategic vision of Canada’s most-visited Museum. 

At Glenbow, Bell led the development of the museum’s current strategic plan, which prioritized financial sustainability, increased inclusion and accessibility, and furthered Indigenous community engagement and reconciliation. Under his leadership, the museum established the JR Shaw Free Admission Endowment, which will make Glenbow the first major museum in Canada to provide free general admission for all. He was also responsible for the execution and oversight of the museum’s current $205-million Glenbow Reimagined revitalization project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2027.

“Never has the value of major Canadian cultural institutions like ROM been more apparent or relevant,” says Andrew MacLeod, Chair, ROM Board of Trustees. “As a museum leader, Nicholas has successfully nurtured broad stakeholder relationships, developed diverse curatorial programs, managed significant capital projects, and driven attendance results. The Board of Trustees is excited to welcome Nicholas to ROM to build on our current momentum and architect a vision to deepen audience connections, further critical research projects, and advance the Museum’s world-class collections, exhibitions, and programs.”

As Director & CEO, Bell will work with ROM’s Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, and the Government of Ontario to support sustainable growth and further ROM’s reputation as Canada’s preeminent museum. In Toronto and beyond, Bell will advance partnerships with various communities, academic institutions, and cultural organizations. He will oversee the Museum’s transformational OpenROM project, promote collaboration among internal and external stakeholders, and drive digital transformation to modernize visitor experiences.

 “I am honoured and humbled to join the exceptional team at ROM. We need museums now, more than ever, to help adapt to our changing world and planet,” says Nicholas R. Bell. “As Canada’s leading field research institute, and a global source for new knowledge, ROM can help answer the question of what will be our common future. I am thrilled to join this dialogue, and to be of service to the people of Ontario.”

“As a world-renowned and proudly Ontario-based cultural institution, ROM connects people to the wonders of our world: past, present, and future,” says Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Today marks a bright new chapter for the Museum as Mr. Bell’s vision, experience, and deep commitment to the power of knowledge will strengthen ROM’s mission and expand its impact into the next era of innovation and opportunity.”

Before joining Glenbow, Bell served as Senior Vice-President for Curatorial Affairs at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut, the leading American maritime museum. Prior, Bell was the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., where he developed programming strategies that saw attendance increase from 150,000 annual visitors to one million. He is the author or editor of 11 books on art, culture, and museums.

Bell was appointed following an international search process led by executive recruiting firm Spencer Stuart. He will succeed Josh Basseches, who stepped down from the role of ROM Director & CEO on December 31, 2025, after leading the Museum for 10 years.