Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul facts for kids
Entrance to Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul
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| Established | 1992 |
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| Location | Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Contemporary art |
The Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul is a special place in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, Canada. It is a museum that shows contemporary art. This means it displays art made in our time, from 1947 until today. It used to be called the Centre d'art de Baie-Saint-Paul.
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The Museum's Beginning
The museum is located right in the middle of Baie-Saint-Paul. This area is known for its culture and art.
From Cinema to Art Centre
Before the museum was built, a cinema called Le Laurentien stood on this spot. It was a popular place for movies and local shows. After World War II, many traveling theater groups also performed there.
By the mid-1980s, the old cinema was falling apart. A group called the Art Centre Corporation decided to build a new place for art. They asked people to donate money to help. They managed to raise $100,000!
A New Building for Art
Thanks to the donations, a brand new building opened on January 24, 1992. This building is called the Centre d’exposition de Baie-St-Paul.
A famous architect named Pierre Thibault designed the building. It has large rooms perfect for showing art. It also has huge glass windows that look out towards the church. The museum is designed to be easy for everyone to visit, including those with physical disabilities. It also has meeting rooms and a gift shop.
In 1992, this building won a top award for institutional buildings from the Ordre des architectes du Québec.
Museum's Journey and Leaders
The museum has a rich history with important people guiding it.
Françoise Labbé's Leadership
In 1993, Françoise Labbé became the main director of the Centre d'exposition and the Centre d'art de Baie-Saint-Paul. She was a very important leader for the museum.
In 1997, she was given a special honor and became a Knight of the Ordre National du Québec. She continued to lead the museum until she passed away in 2001.
Famous Artists and Exhibitions
During Françoise Labbé's time, many big art shows were held. For example, in 1998, thousands of people came to see Jean-Paul Riopelle's art. His famous sculpture, Ice Canoe, was even hung from the ceiling!
Another well-known painter, Marc Séguin, showed his art there in 2001. He returned to exhibit his work again in 2013.
Becoming a Museum
The Centre d'art de Baie-Saint-Paul officially became a museum in 2008. This important announcement was made on July 16, 2008, by Christine St-Pierre, who was the Minister of Culture at the time.
What the Museum Does
The main goal of the Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul is to share, promote, and protect contemporary art.
Focusing on Modern Art
The museum focuses on art created from 1947 to the present day. It loves to show the work of modern artists and is always open to new ideas and ways of expressing art.
It is the only museum in eastern Quebec that is completely dedicated to contemporary art. You can visit it all year round. Tours are available in both French and English.
International Art Symposium
The museum also organizes a special event each year called the International Symposium of Contemporary Art of Baie-Saint-Paul. This event brings together artists from all over the world. They create art and share their ideas with the public.
The Museum's Art Collection
The museum has a wonderful collection of artworks.
Works from the Symposium
One way the museum builds its collection is through the International Symposium of Contemporary Art. Artists who participate often leave their creations behind. This has helped the museum gather works from over 500 different artists.
Gifts from Artists
In 1994, an artist named Kathleen Daly (1898–1994) gave over 500 paintings to the Centre d’art Baie-Saint-Paul. These paintings included her own works and those of her husband, George Pepper (1903–1962).
The Art Centre Corporation has also collected valuable works by other important Quebec painters, like René Richard and the Bolduc sisters.
See also
- List of art museums
- List of museums in Quebec
