Questions grouped under four headings:
1. Visitor Information (General)
2. Educational Services
3. Curatorial Questions / Conservation / Copyright
4. Hiring
1. Visitor Information (General)
What is contemporary art?
Contemporary art is defined as the art of our century. At the Musée, our collection contains works from 1948 to the present. A specific part of our collection and activities is devoted to works produced today by living artists using new media. Often, this is art involving new technologies, performance, contemporary dance, experimental theatre, new music, video and film. Various disciplines are represented in the collection, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, installation and video.
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Do you offer guided tours of your exhibitions?
Of course. For details, see www.macm.org/en/informations/visite-guidee.html. Guided tours are included in the price of admission.
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How much time should I devote to a visit to the museum?
Generally speaking, the museum presents four or five exhibitions at any one time. You should therefore allow about 90 minutes for a complete visit.
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Is the museum wheelchair accessible? Are there wheelchairs available to the public?
The museum is accessible and adapted to the needs of people in wheelchairs. This includes the restrooms. As well, we have a few wheelchairs available (free of charge) for visitors’ well-being. The Québec organization Kéroul, which provides information and lobbies on behalf of people with limited physical ability, has certified that the museum meets its access standards.
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Where is the closest parking for the museum?
The closest is the indoor garage at Place des Arts ($ pay parking). There are also outdoor pay parking lots and some streets with parking meters. It is difficult to find free parking in the area of the museum.
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Are there any hotels near the museum?
The Hyatt Regency Hotel is located just across from the museum in Complexe Desjardins (connected to the museum by an underground tunnel). A number of other hotels, in all categories, are located nearby, including several within walking distance.
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Why can’t we keep our backpacks on as we go around the museum?
Some sizes of bags are prohibited in the exhibition galleries to prevent accidental damage to the works and guard against theft. That is why the security guards will ask you to check your bags at the cloakroom (free, supervised service). Please also note that food and beverages are strictly forbidden in the galleries, once again to protect the works.
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May we take photographs in the exhibition galleries?
You are not allowed to take photographs in the exhibition galleries because the reproduction of artworks is protected under Québec copyright law, and in order to prevent the works from deteriorating through repeated exposure to flash.
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May we draw a reproduction of an artwork during a visit to the exhibition galleries?
No problem. There are even benches available in the exhibition galleries. Please note, however, that no additional lighting is allowed.
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Can museum admission tickets, promotional items or exhibition catalogues be purchased online via the museum’s website?
Unfortunately, no. The museum’s website is not transactional, nor is it secure for this purpose.
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Museums often ask for help from volunteers to enable them to fulfil their mission of receiving the public. What duties can be performed by volunteers and how can I submit my name?
At the Musée d’art contemporain, volunteers are often requested for two specific duties: to receive visitors at the cloakroom and to help with filing and documentation at the museum’s Media Centre, which is our reference centre. To submit your name as a volunteer, call 514 847-6270.
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Who are the architects of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal? How long has the museum been located at Place des Arts?
The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal was established in 1964 by the Québec government. After being housed in different locations around the city, it moved to a building specially designed to meet its needs and erected on the present Place des Arts site. This building dates from 1992. The Montréal firm of Jodoin, Lamarre, Pratte et Associés was chosen following an architectural competition.
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How is the museum funded?
The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal is a provincially owned corporation funded by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec. It receives additional funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Canada Council for the Arts. Corporate sponsorships provide further financial support for the museum, as do ticket sales.
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Can I become a member of the museum, and what are the benefits of joining?
In addition to many other privileges, Friends of the Musée enjoy free mailings of the Journal du Musée, the seasonal calendar of events, and invitations to openings and special events.
When you become a Friend of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, you set off on an adventure brimming with emotion and packed with surprises. The collection (with its more than 7,000 works), exciting temporary exhibitions and special events await you all year long. On top of providing you with many benefits, your membership contributes to enriching the permanent collection of Canada’s premier museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art. Experience life as a Friend of the Musée, and live the adventure of creativity. Encourage and promote the work of today’s artists, both local and international.
Become a member of the Foundation of the Musée d’art contemporain and you will enjoy a host of privileges. Membership includes: unlimited free admission to the museum; invitations to openings; 15% off day camp fees; free subscription to the Journal du Musée, published three times a year; free audioguide for visits to the permanent collection; 15% off at the Musée Boutique; 10% off the table d’hôte menu at La Rotonde Restaurant and the museum’s Olivieri Bookstore/Café; 50% off a one-year subscription to Vie des Arts magazine; 25% off a one-year subscription to ETC – revue de l’art actuel; 15% off a framing at Encadrements Marcel Pelletier; 50% off admission to the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; and discounts from the Opéra de Montréal and various other cultural organizations.
Information on the Foundation:
Tel.: 514 847-6270
fondation@macm.org
Application Form (pdf)
Simply print it, fill it out and mail it in to us.
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2. Educational Services
Where can I get information on an artist, an artwork or a previous exhibition at the museum?
Established in 1965, the museum’s Media Centre is Canada’s largest library devoted to contemporary art. The nature, extent and diversity of its collections make it an ideal place for multimedia research and consultation in this field.
The Media Centre is open to the public Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Information : 514 847-6906
Media Centre website : http://media.macm.org
E-mail : infomedia@macm.org
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Where can I buy the exhibition catalogues produced by the museum?
A. First, click here to consult the full list of the museum’s publications on the Media Centre website: media.macm.org/e/fonds/publ/index.html.
Established in 1965, the museum’s Media Centre is Canada’s largest library devoted to contemporary art. The nature, extent and diversity of its collections make it an ideal place for multimedia research and consultation in this field. The Media Centre is open to the public Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information: 514 847-6906. E-mail: infomedia@macm.org.
B. You can also see all the titles published by the museum on the website of ABC Art Books Canada Distribution: http://www.abcartbookscanada.com/MAC.html
Order them online from the website:
http://www.abcartbookscanada.com/
C. A number of titles are also available at the Olivieri Bookstore/Café inside the Musée d'art contemporain itself, open the same hours as the museum. Tel.: 514 847-6903
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Do you offer art classes?
The museum mainly offers thematic lectures and symposiums. To find out more.
In addition, so that each and every one of you can give free rein to your imagination by creating your own work of art based on a work from the museum’s collection, the museum offers art workshops for children and adults. For full details.
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3. Curatorial Questions / Conservation / Copyright
How far ahead do you plan your exhibition calendar?
More than three years ahead.
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How does the museum set about selecting an exhibition?
The museum’s curators and its Director are responsible for selecting the exhibitions that fit the institution’s mission. The museum hires specialists in contemporary art who have an in-depth knowledge of all matters related to art today as well as the major movements throughout history. These curators plan the exhibitions around an idea, a theme or an artistic overview. Some exhibitions come from institutions similar to ours. Proposals are examined in relation to the importance of the project and its relevance within the Montréal context.
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What is the museum’s permanent collection?
The museum’s collection, which comprises over 7,000 works produced by more than 1,500 artists, 1,200 of whom are living, allows us to amply illustrate the ways contemporary Québec art has developed, through major works by the likes of Paul-Émile Borduas, Alfred Pellan, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Guido Molinari, Fernand Leduc, Claude Tousignant, Yves Gaucher, Betty Goodwin, Roland Poulin, Geneviève Cadieux and Jana Sterbak, and to represent the vital contribution made by leading figures in Canadian art, through the works of Jack Bush, Paterson Ewen, Michael Snow, Jeff Wall and Rodney Graham, among others. The collection also includes outstanding works by well-known international artists such as Bill Viola, Gary Hill, Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra, Bruce Nauman, James Turell, Richard Long, Mario Merz, Christian Boltanski, Shirin Neshat, Sam Taylor-Wood, Nan Goldin, Isaac Julien and Vik Muniz.
Reflecting the main trends in contemporary art, as well as the diversity of disciplines and media—painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, video, installation—the collection is the linchpin of a wide range of activities: historical, thematic, monographic and travelling exhibitions, a varied program of guided tours, educational workshops and meetings with artists.
The museum regularly presents thematic exhibitions of works from the permanent collection, as well as temporary exhibitions every three or four months.
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When a museum decides to purchase an artwork to add to its permanent collection, what criteria are taken into consideration?
Among the many criteria applied are:
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The importance of the work in terms of the collection and the future potential for showing it to the public.
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The building of significant bodies of work, providing the public with a proper understanding of movements and trends.
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Fulfilment of the museum’s mission.
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The cost of acquiring the work.
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How do I, as an artist, go about suggesting an exhibition project to the museum?
You must submit an exhibition proposal, in writing, including an outline of your project, a description of your artistic practice and your body of work, a financing and subsidy plan, visual material, a list of your exhibitions and any other relevant details. Send all this information, together with a complete curriculum vitae, to:
Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal
Direction artistique et éducative
Reference: exhibition project proposal
185, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Montréal, Québec H2X 3X5
In view of the large number of requests received, we cannot return the material submitted. You will be sent a written reply. In addition, we thank you for not following up by phone. If further details are necessary, the museum will contact you.
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In Québec, there is a law protecting the copyright that applies to works of art. What does this law involve?
A work of art may not be reproduced without the written permission of its owner or the owner’s representative. It is also customary to pay a fee to obtain the right to reproduce a work. It should be noted that the museum does not hold the rights of reproduction for the works in its collection.
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How do I go about requesting permission to use the image of a work of art belonging to the museum or exhibited there? Can the logo of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal be reproduced without permission?
If you are a journalist or representative of the media, visual material is placed at your disposal. Please contact Danielle Legentil, Media Relations Officer, by phone at 514 847-6232, or by e-mail at danielle.legentil@macm.org. For any other use, you must apply, in writing, to Véronique Malouin (veronique.malouin@macm.org), stating how the image is to be used. If it is for publication purposes, kindly specify the dates of publication, title of the publication and format in which it will be reproduced. Note that the credits for the artworks and photographs must accompany the image. Certain copyright fees may sometimes apply. We will inform you of the source to contact to obtain permission.
To obtain the right to use or reproduce the museum’s logo, you must first receive permission from the Direction des services au public: 514 847-6233.
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Is it possible to donate an artwork or make a cash gift to the museum? Are there tax benefits? What will the museum do with this money?
The museum has been able to build an absolutely remarkable collection largely through the generosity of donors, artists, collectors, businesspeople and the general public. The funds collected by the museum also help finance its exhibitions and educational activities.
To acquire certain works, the museum must be able to count on faithful financial partners. That’s where the Musée Foundation plays a part.
Making a gift allows benefactors to take advantage of the tax and inheritance benefits provided by law, without affecting their current income. All gifts are tax deductible. Your tax advisor or accountant will be familiar with all the details. There are different types of gifts: testamentary bequests, annuities, life insurance, cash, artworks or other property, stocks or bonds.
Gifts may be sent to:
Fondation du Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
185, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Montréal, Québec H2X 3X5
Tel. : 514 847-6272
Information : Sylvie Cameron
Gifts of artworks:
The collection of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal comprises over 7,000 works, illustrating the major trends in Québec, Canadian and international art. It has grown, and continues to grow, through both gifts (40% of acquisitions) and purchases (60% of acquisitions). The museum must be a major buyer on the Québec and world scenes to remain a key player in the contemporary art world. Building the collection is one of its main priorities.
To do this, the Musée d’art contemporain relies on donors’ generosity. Their knowledge and taste play a part in enriching its collection. The museum applies the same strict standards in accepting gifts as it does when it purchases works of art.
At the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, Suzanne Lemire is in charge of the collection’s development. She can answer your questions on the museum’s acquisition procedures or the tax benefits accruing from gifts and bequests of artworks.
Contact : Suzanne Lemire
Tel. : 514 847-6221
E-mail: suzanne.lemire@macm.org
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Is it possible to buy artworks from the museum when they are no longer on exhibit?
The mission of the museum is to make known, promote and preserve contemporary Québec art and to ensure a place for Canadian and international contemporary art, through exhibitions and numerous other activities. Accordingly, unlike a commercial art gallery, a museum does not sell artworks, but keeps them in its permanent collection to preserve artistic heritage.
However, the Musée Boutique carries a wide variety of unique creations that suit the contemporary spirit of the museum. There is something for every taste and budget: a memento of your visit to the museum, or an original gift from among the elegant design items. Posters, catalogues and objects inspired by artworks on display are also available. For information, call: 514 847-6904.
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Does the museum offer the public an appraisal service to determine the value of an artwork, or an art restoration service?
It is not the role of a museum to set the price or value of an artwork. For this, you must consult an art dealer, in other words a commercial art gallery. We suggest that you contact the Association des galeries d’art contemporain, which will be able to guide you:
Association des galeries d’art contemporain
372, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, bureau 521
Montréal,Québec H3B 1A2
Tél. : 514 798-5010
Fax : 514 798-5009
Website : www.agac.qc.ca
E-mail : info@agac.qc.ca
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4. Hiring
How do I apply for a job at the museum?
Occasionally, certain vacancies are posted on our website, at www.macm.org/en/contact.html. To apply, you must submit your curriculum vitae and a letter of intent specifying the position you are interested in. Contact our human resources team by e-mail at rh@macm.org, or by fax at 514 847-6290. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
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