Natalia Ivanova (Mount) is a Bulgarian-American cultural leader, writer, and curator whose work redefines what cultural spaces can be when equity, experimentation, and sustainability are at the core. With over two decades of cross-disciplinary experience, she has transformed ambitious ideas into lasting institutions and collaborated on curatorial projects across continents.
As Executive Director of Pro Arts Gallery in Oakland, CA for ten years, Natalia spearheaded a transformative reinvention of the beloved 50-year-old institution. She founded Pro Arts Commons — Oakland’s first art commons — and launched The Teaching Institute for Art & Law. These groundbreaking initiatives integrate art, economy, and legal frameworks to collectively govern shared physical and intellectual property, as well as the agency of creative labor.
A skilled fundraiser and development strategist, Natalia has secured millions in transformative funding for cultural institutions, social impact initiatives, and professional development programs for artists, curators, and cultural practitioners. She cultivates lasting relationships across philanthropic, corporate, and grassroots networks, applying a values-driven approach that motivates support for creative work that sparks dialogue, builds connections, and advances both individual and collective transformation through the arts.
A published author and recognized thought leader, Natalia’s writings include Reframing the Value of Art and Fair Labor in the Context of a Sharing Economy and The Commons: Of Friends and Lovers (co-authored with Marc Herbst). Over the past decade, she has curated a wide range of interdisciplinary exhibitions and events. Her practice sits at the crossroads of visual art, performance, sound, and new media, creating immersive experiences that encourage curiosity and connection. Passionate about projects that dissolve boundaries and reveal fresh perspectives, she is driven by collaboration and a dedication to fostering meaningful dialogue beyond conventional frameworks.
Natalia is currently developing Art Agency Reframed, an independent curatorial platform and post-post-gallery model that reexamines traditional art world structures. This initiative reshapes how art is produced, valued, and shared, thus advancing approaches that emphasize equity, sustainability, and collective empowerment within the cultural ecosystem. By moving beyond conventional art market hierarchies, Art Agency Reframed fosters a more inclusive and resilient future for artists, community, and spaces alike.