The Biennale de Montréal and Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal are joining forces

Following exchanges initiated in the spring of 2012, the collaboration will take the form of a co-production agreement that will help to energize our contemporary art scene, providing artists with an innovative public showcase.

“The Biennale de Montréal is determined to increase its Quebec content, to offer greater visibility to our own artists,” explains Cédric Bisson, Chairman of the Biennale de Montréal. “We will be presenting an event of international scope based on the creative forces from here at home.”

“This first co-production will be part of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations,” adds Alexandre Taillefer, Chairman of the MACM. “We are delighted with this partnership.”

This new event will take the place of the Triennale québécoise, which was successfully staged by the MACM in 2008 and 2011. The two organizations will share their expertise, ensuring that Quebec artists receive greater exposure, both nationally and internationally.

The 8th Biennale de Montréal will take place in the fall of 2014 under the banner of L’avenir – (looking forward), with a larger team and more exchanges: the two guest curators from the Biennale de Montréal, Peggy Gale and Gregory Burke, will be joined by two curators from the MACM, Lesley Johnstone and Mark Lanctôt.

Based at the MACM, the event’s special activities for all audiences will take place throughout Montreal. Also on the program are a springboard for Quebec artists, a major publication, a conference and educational activities.

With this new arrangement, the BNL MTL’s future is solidified. The alliance with the MACM gives this major event a new face, while its revised structure ensures a stronger artistic vision and broader scope for research and creation in contemporary art.

The two institutions are now working together to rally and unify the artistic community. This change in direction by the BNL MTL was taken to both stimulate artists and develop new audiences.

La Biennale de Montréal is an international event focusing on the visual arts and media arts. To attain its objectives, it breaks down the barriers between artistic disciplines, bringing together artists from the visual and media arts, architecture, design and film. Founded in 1998 by the CIAC – Centre international d’art contemporain de Montréal, and after 7 edition, the BNL MTL is now an independent organization.

Canada’s premier institution dedicated exclusively to contemporary art, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal plays a major role in promoting Québec, Canadian and international artists. It sees this new association as an opportunity to continue and reaffirm this vision. Founded in 1964, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is a provincially owned corporation funded by the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec.