Quebec art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The museum's history began with the formation of the Art Association of Montreal, whose mission was to instil a taste for the fine arts in the general public.

For decades, this group was itinerant, lacking premises to store the works they collected or that were loaned to them. In 1877, a Montreal businessman donated paintings, bronze statues and $8,000 to the association, on condition that a museum be built within 3 years. Two years later, the Governor General of Canada inaugurated the Art Association of Montreal's art gallery, a building specially designed to house an art collection.

In the early 1900s, a new gift of works from a collector forced the gallery to consider a larger space. After two years of work, the new museum opened on Sherbrooke Street, on its current site. Today, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of the most visited art museums in Canada.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts houses one of the most remarkable collections of contemporary art in North America. It includes more than 43,000 works from all over the world.

It's a very interesting museum to visit. It is divided into 5 pavilions covering modern and contemporary art, world cultures, decorative arts and design, Quebec and Canadian art, and international art. The Erskine and American Church has been completely renovated and included in the museum buildings.

Stroll through the sculpture garden

Inaugurated in 2004, the garden on the avenue du musée features sculptures from around the world created by renowned artists such as David Altmejd, Jim Dine and Jean-Paul Riopelle.

Independent and committed films in the cinema

The Musée des Beaux-Arts cinema carefully programmes independent, current and international films. This is your chance to see interesting and committed films in their original version.

Throughout the year, the museum organises events and gatherings. The programme at the Musée des Beaux-Arts includes lectures, courses, workshops and films.

The museum recently inaugurated a concert hall, the Salle Bourgie. It seats 444 and hosts classical music, world music, etc. Special guided tours are organised on a regular basis.

You can find the calendar of events on the MBAM's official website.