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Montréal, Tuesday, May 18, 2021 – M. Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ Infra, Chantal Rouleau, ministre déléguée aux Transports et ministre responsable de la Métropole et de la région de Montréal, and Annie Gérin, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University, and representing the agreement with four Montréal universities, today unveiled an innovative public art program for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM). This public art collection will enhance the experience of REM users, foster the next generation of artists and help build important cultural legacies. CDPQ Infra has also committed to making an additional contribution in support of Québec public art.
The “UniR” program was developed by the curator for the Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec, Marie-Justine Snider, who has more than 21 years of experience working in the field of fine arts. The initiative will have three major components:
Component 1 – Permanent works
As part of the Politique d’intégration des arts à l’architecture et à l’environnement des bâtiments et des sites gouvernementaux et publics of the gouvernement du Québec, funding has been earmarked to install approximately 10 works in strategic locations across the REM’s four branches. These works will celebrate the neighbourhoods along the light rail system’s route and will showcase a wide variety of artistic expressions from some of the province’s most outstanding and cutting-edge talent.
- Valued at $4,326,171
Component 2 – Temporary works
As part of an innovative agreement with Concordia University, McGill University, Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM), students will create a new work or art installation each year. Various temporary artworks will be installed along the REM in the Griffintown area, bringing a plurality of voices, views and experiences to the UniR program and, most importantly, encouraging the next generation of artists.
- Valued at $500,000
Component 3 – Additional cultural legacies
In addition to its commitment to respect the Politique d’intégration des arts à l’architecture et à l’environnement des bâtiments et des sites gouvernementaux et publics of the gouvernement du Québec, CDPQ Infra has pledged to make an additional contribution in support of public art. The investment will enhance our cultural legacies and expand the collection. This funding will also provide support to a sector that has suffered greatly under the current pandemic.
- Valued at $3,000,000
An innovative program in partnership with Montréal universities
One of the most innovative aspects of the REM art program is the inclusion of temporary artworks. A new artwork or installation will be put on display each year over a four-year period. The Griffintown area is targeted as the main location for this program. The first student-created temporary work will be installed in 2023.
These temporary works will be produced as part of an inter-university course under an innovative agreement with four major Montréal universities: Concordia University, McGill University, Université de Montréal and Université du Québec à Montréal. The course will be open to students in faculties of fine arts, architecture, film, music and design. The goal is to offer the first course in 2022 and to continue the program until 2026.
This temporary artwork program seeks to provide room for daring and innovative experiments, both in terms of their material and concepts, in order to help future creators hone their skills to participate in major shows, to encourage interdisciplinarity, and, above all, to help nurture the next generation of Québec artists.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
