The Musée d'art contemporain was founded by the Québec government in 1964. After becoming an autonomous body with its own Board of Directors in 1984, its mission became to continue promoting and preserving contemporary Québec art, as well as Canadian and international contemporary art. Since the musée moved in 1992 to the heart of downtown to be part of Canada's only cultural complex devoted to both the performing and visual art, its permanent collection comprises some 7,000 works, hosts educational activities and stages numerous multimedia events, including performance, new dance, experimenta … (read more)

The Musée d'art contemporain was founded by the Québec government in 1964. After becoming an autonomous body with its own Board of Directors in 1984, its mission became to continue promoting and preserving contemporary Québec art, as well as Canadian and international contemporary art. Since the musée moved in 1992 to the heart of downtown to be part of Canada's only cultural complex devoted to both the performing and visual art, its permanent collection comprises some 7,000 works, hosts educational activities and stages numerous multimedia events, including performance, new dance, experimental theatre, contemporary music, video and film.

With its origin deeply rooted in provincial vindications, one of this museum's main issues has been to open up to non-Québecois art while simultaneously promoting it, and making itself a world renowned institution as well as playing a role in the local art scene. The arrival of Marc Mayer in 2004 (now, since early 2009, director of the National Gallery in Ottawa) pumped new blood in this tricky equation and enabled a suite of exhibitions that challenged the idea that Québécois and Canadian contemporary art was non-existent - with Brian Jungen, Rodney Graham or up and coming Etienne Zack and Jérôme Fortin- as well as curating plenty of world wide recognized art stars - such as Matthew Barney, Anselm Kiefer, or Neo Rauch. Right before leaving he curated what the magazine Canadian Art called "the best show of 2008 in the country" with his show Nothing is Lost, Nothing is Created, Everything Is Transformed: The Québec Triennal in summer.

We can only hope the next director will continue directing the musée's staff in these challenging and inspiring directions.

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185, Sainte-Catherine Ouest (corner Jeanne-Mance)
Montreal (Québec)
H2X 3X5