The MAC in transformation
BREAKING NEWS
The Musée d’art contemporain continues its architectural transformation project
Montreal, January 19th, 2024 – It is with great enthusiasm that the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) announces the continuation of work on its historic transformation, which will enhance its integration into the Société de la Place des Arts de Montréal complex, in the Quartier des spectacles, in 2028. Following the second call for tenders held in fall 2023, we received bids that respect the transformation budget and recently signed contracts with the contractors selected to continue the work.
Project Overview
A key player in Québec’s art ecosystem and cultural offer, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) is Canada’s largest and most important museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. To meet the new realities of this century and embrace an era of inclusion, accessibility and openness to the world, the MAC has undertaken the most important transformation in its history.
The design conceived by the consortium Saucier + Perrotte and GLCRM Architectes is inspiring, luminous and relevant; a decidedly contemporary structure fully coherent with the museum’s raison d’être.With this transformation, the MAC embarks, visionary and alive, on a new chapter in its history and continues its momentum to embrace its full potential.
- The building’s exterior will be transformed to allow for greater visibility and transparency between the museum, its environment and the communities it serves.
- The surface area of exhibition spaces will be increased to highlight the national collection and make it more accessible to the public. These enhanced spaces will be more versatile and feature cutting-edge technology, entirely redesigned to showcase all facets of contemporary art.
- Education will occupy a central role within the new MAC in order to democratize access to contemporary art and respond to the needs and aspirations of today’s generation and generations of the future.
In addition to creating important sociocultural spin-offs, the transformation of the MAC will inject new life into the downtown area and position the museum as a showcase for creativity and must-see destination at the heart of Place des Arts. Montréal will finally have a museum that reflects its ambitions and its dynamic art community, and the MAC will fully contribute to advancing and giving greater visibility to the city, its communities and its artists.
Highlights
Exhibition Areas
Education and Youth
Visitor Services
Building Exterior
Traffic Flow and Access
Timeline
- April 2018: unanimous approval of the design project by the jury.
- Summer 2021: closing of the MAC at Place des Arts.
- Summer 2022: move to temporary location at Place Ville-Marie.
- Spring 2023: press conference announcing the budget increase for the project.
- Summer 2023: preparation of plans and revised bids, including verifying permits, municipal regulations, standards, codes, etc.
- Summer 2023: worksite preparation at Place des Arts.
- September 2023: Call for tenders launched.
- December 2023: Awarding of the first contracts by lot.
- January 2024: worksite mobilization and continuation of work.
- January 2027: work completed.
- 2027: moving the collections and renovation work.
- January 2028: scheduled reopening of the MAC at Place des Arts.
The Fondation du MAC
The Fondation du Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (Fondation du MAC) has undertaken the most important fundraising campaign in its history to support the transformation of the MAC.
The involvement and the support from the business and philanthropic worlds as well as the entire community will be a true measure of the success of this large-scale project for both Montréal and Québec.
This project would not have been possible without the generous support of its patrons and donors. By supporting the major fundraising campaign led by the Fondation du MAC, you contribute directly to making contemporary art shine as well as Montréal’s cultural, economic and social growth.
To lend your support to the MAC’s transformational project or learn more about our major campaign, please contact Catherine Julien, Director, Philanthropic Development and Major Campaign ([email protected]).
Press Review
Available in French only:
- Une métamorphose pour le Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, Journal de Montréal, 2018
- Deux distinctions pour la firme d’architecture GLCRM & Associés, Magazine Prestige, 2018
- Premières images du nouveau Musée d’art contemporain, Radio Canada, 2018
- Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal: le plan de sa transformation dévoilé, La Presse, 2018
- Les images du nouveau Musée d’art contemporain dévoilées, Index Design, 2018
- Un Musée d’art contemporain «digne des attentes du public», La Presse, 2018
- Le Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal s’apprête à déménager, Radio Canada, 2021
- Un MAC temporaire à Place Ville Marie, La Presse, 2021
- Québec et Ottawa offrent 56 M$ de plus pour l’agrandissement du MAC de Montréal, Radio Canada, 2023
- Continuer à rayonner, en attendant de reprendre notre place, La Presse, 2023
What a privilege it is to be at the forefront of this historic transformation of the MAC! We look forward to welcoming contemporary art lovers to this new setting, which will allow it to embrace its full potential as Canada's most important contemporary art museum, driven more than ever by inspiration, innovation and daring.
In coming months, we will take important steps toward welcoming the public to a building that has been transformed into a true showcase for creativity and a destination on its own terms in the heart of Place des Arts. I would like to underline the tireless commitment of all our partners, who have supported us during this period of uncertainty.
Art is the very essence of our identity, and we need a reinvented MAC, one that reflects our ambitions and is future-thinking. A new chapter in the history of contemporary art is unfolding in Montreal and together, we have the power to drive this change and lead the MAC to embrace its transformation.
This major transformation of the MAC will increase its surface area with expansive, modern, and luminous new spaces. All will help set the stage for creating an inspiring space dedicated to celebrating our cultural heritage. Contemporary art has the power to stimulate our minds and our emotions. Together, we will make the museum a must-see destination by designing a more accessible and inclusive venue that looks to the future while honoring our rich heritage. In doing so, even more people than ever will be able to participate and engage in the world of contemporary art here in Montreal.
With this transformation, the MAC will become a Canadian contemporary art icon, and a reflection of Montréal and its boundless creativity. Not only through its innovative exhibitions but also by the way it interacts and engages with its audiences.
By amplifying everything that makes this museum exceptional, the new building points to a thrilling trajectory. I love that it is accessible to so many people, and I hope that more people than ever have the chance to discover and enjoy this cultural gem of Montréal.
The MAC is a space where different experiences intersect and connect. The transformed MAC will become a world-class platform for creating and showcasing thought-provoking, challenging, unstable and ambitious art and performances.