Fall at the MAC: Meeting a new generation of artists
MONTRÉAL, Sept. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- This fall, the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) is placing emerging Québec artists at the heart of its programming, creating more opportunities for interactions between artists and the public.
At the forefront: the six artists from the first cohort of Habiter le MAC – Sierra Barber, Miri Chek, Marly Fontaine, Po B. K. Lomami, Myriam Simard-Parent and Sarah Toung ondo. After several months of residency and mentorship in the MAC spaces at Place Ville Marie, they will meet with the public and share their artistic world and their passion. Through Meet the Artist events, studio open houses and creative workshops for all ages, participants will be able to learn about their approach and experience unique moments with them. For Journées de la culture, on September 26, a special En famille at the MAC will take place with artist Myriam Simard-Parent, whose practice explores popular culture and humour through her use of wood.
Fall programming will also feature the Max and Iris Stern International Symposium 18, which this year looks at the networks, discussions and influences that helped to open up Québec's art scene to the world in the 1980s, featuring voices that shaped this history and those who are rethinking it today.
Finally, a brand-new initiative: Circuits: Contemporary art behind the scenes for ages 18 to 30, a program designed for young adults who want to discover contemporary art in a different way. Three gatherings will take place in November, inviting participants to go behind the scenes of Montréal art spaces and talk with various figures from the world of art.
ON THE SCHEDULE
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING FOR JOURNÉES DE LA CULTURE
September 26, 2026
EN FAMILLE AT THE MAC
With Myriam Simard-Parent
As part of Journées de la culture, the public can meet Myriam Simard-Parent, an artist in the first cohort of the emerging artists' program Habiter le MAC, and explore her artistic practice with her before taking part as a family in the free creative workshop Floating Log: Mixed Techniques and Self-Portraiture, inspired by her practice. At the MAC at PVM, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Details and booking.
September 26, 2026
AU PLUS PRÈS DES GENS: THE MAC'S EDUCATION PRACTICES
Ending soon: Au plus près des gens, which highlights the connections the MAC forges with communities and with society. Mediators will be on site to chat with participants and invite them to take part in a creative workshop to make ephemeral sculptures from construction materials. In collaboration with Place des Arts and its Foundation. 12:00 to 8:00 p.m., continuous. Detailed information.
MAX AND IRIS STERN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 18
October 29, 30 and 31, 2026
CONNECTIONS IN THE 1980s: THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF QUÉBEC ART (1975–1992)
Focusing on artistic production of the "long" 1980s in Québec (1975–1992), as well as on the discourses and institutions that accompanied this period, this new edition of the Max and Iris Stern International Symposium aims to open new avenues for reflection based on recent work and to fill in some gaps in the history of this particularly productive decade. Curators: Katrie Chagnon and François LeTourneux. Participants: Vincent Bonin, Geneviève Cadieux, Abigail Celis, Louise Déry, Olivier Fabry, Ji-Yoon Han, Marie J. Jean, Johanne Lamoureux, Gabrielle Larocque, Lani Maestro, Diana Nemiroff, Alayn Ouellet, Chantal Pontbriand, Kitty Scott, Sherry Simon, Guy Sioui Durand, Johanne Sloan, Kessie Theliar-Charles, Michèle Thériault and Normand Thériault. At Usine C. Details and booking.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
The MAC offers cultural programming that promotes encounters between artists and audiences.
October 14 and December 2, 2026
HABITER LE MAC: MEET THE ARTIST
Myriam Simard-Parent and Sierra Barber
The MAC continues its series of intimate encounters with the artists in the Habiter le MAC program. These conversations offer the public an in-depth look at the artists' respective approaches. At the MAC at PVM. 5:30 p.m. Details and booking.
October 7, 2026
MEET THE ARTIST
With Clara Lacasse
As part of her exhibition Vermilion Sun, currently displayed on the exterior construction fencing of the MAC at Place des Arts, artist Clara Lacasse will give a talk that will situate this project in the broader context of her photographic practice. At the MAC at PVM. 5:30 p.m. Details and booking.
December 5 and 6, 2026
STUDIO OPEN HOUSE: HABITER LE MAC
Over eight months of residency, the six artists of the first cohort have transformed the MAC into a space for research, experimentation and dialogue. During this studio open house, participants can visit their studios, see the creative paths they have taken and speak directly with them and their mentor, artist François Morrelli. At the MAC at PVM, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Detailed information.
November 12, 19 and 25, 2026
CIRCUITS
The new MAC program Circuits will take those ages 18 to 30 behind the scenes of contemporary art. Through visits and conversations with artists and key figures in the art world, participants will develop insights for better understanding the works, approaches and locations that bring the Montréal art scene to life. The first circuit of activities was designed and will be hosted by artist, art historian and curator Didier Morelli. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Details and booking.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
The MAC offers a range of activities leading to exploration and discovery for all ages.
September 26, October 10 and 24, November 7 and 21, December 12, 2026
EN FAMILLE AT THE MAC (ages 6 and up)
Each En famille at the MAC invites families to discover the unique creative world of an artist in residence from the Habiter le MAC program: meeting them in their studio, exploring their artistic approach and taking part in a creative workshop for all ages inspired by the artist's practice. At the MAC at PVM, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Details and booking.
September 19, October 3, 17 and 31, November 14 and 28, 2026
CREATIVE MOMENTS (for adults)
On each of the six proposed dates, an artist from the Habiter le MAC program will welcome the public into their studio to share their inspirations and artistic process. This conversation will be followed by a creative workshop to experiment with an aspect of the artist's practice.
At the MAC at PVM, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Details and booking.
October 1, November 5 and December 3, 2026
JEUDIS DU MAC (for adults)
This happy hour experience blends a festive atmosphere (with two drinks included), the discovery of artworks and a creative workshop with our team of mediators. At the MAC at PVM, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Details and booking.
THE FOUNDATION
September 25, 2026
BAL DU MAC
The Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal Foundation will hold the 2026 Bal du Mac on Friday, September 25, at La Nesra. With the theme L'éclat d'un soir, this fundraising gala will celebrate what contemporary art reveals: its light, its intensity and the place it holds in our lives. Details and booking.
About the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)
For over 60 years, the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) has brought together Québec and international artists, their works and diverse audiences, championing art as an essential part of life in Montréal and in Québec. While its home in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles undergoes a major architectural transformation, the Museum is temporarily located at Place Ville Marie, another of the city's most iconic landmarks.
As preparations accelerate for the opening of the new MAC at Place des Arts, exhibitions at Place Ville Marie have now come to an end. The space will instead host cohorts of Habiter le MAC, a support program for emerging artists from across Québec. During this transition, the Museum will continue to offer cultural and educational activities, workshops, presentations and special events open to the public. Find out more: www.macm.org
SOURCE Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal
For all requests for images, information or interviews: Audrey Beaumont for the MAC, 418 283-2796, [email protected]
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