The National Music Centre (NMC) is deepening its connection with Canada’s Francophone music community through the opening of a satellite space in Montreal’s Latin Quarter, within the Quartier des Spectacles part of downtown.
Last night, as part of the official opening of NMC’s Montreal satellite space, MU, a registered charity transforming Montreal into an open-air museum, unveiled a mural by artist Mathieu Potvin, titled “Merci Beau Dommage.” The piece is part of the “Les bâtisseur·e·s culturel·le·s de Montréal” collection, which honours key figures who have helped shape the city’s cultural identity. With Beau Dommage showcased in the Quebec Music Hall of Fame exhibition at the National Music Centre in Calgary, the unveiling celebration was a symbolic first event for the new Montreal co-location.
Located in the same building as l’Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque (Adisq), the 3,000-square-foot Montreal space will serve as an anchor point for NMC’s growing activities in Eastern Canada, specifically in Quebec. The proximity to Adisq will help foster collaboration on a range of activities, including music industry events, professional development programs, workshops for industry professionals and artists, as well as other special pop-up events exploring new opportunities to strengthen cultural ties and support and amplify the work of Quebec-based creators and businesses.
“There’s no better time than now for nation-building and creating bridges between the East and the West. As a national organization, it’s vital that we not only amplify but actively engage with Canada’s diverse music communities,” said Andrew Mosker, NMC President and CEO. “Our new presence in Montreal reflects our commitment to strengthening relationships with Francophone creators, artists, businesses, industry partners, and audiences in the rich cultural hub of Quebec and other parts of Canada.”
“Our partnership with the NMC will create new opportunities for innovative projects, foster collaborations, and offer enriching musical experiences for Francophone communities from coast to coast,” adds Eve Paré, Executive Director of Adisq.
This expansion builds on an already strong relationship between NMC and Quebec’s music community. NMC’s Calgary home proudly houses the Adisq Hall of Fame, which celebrates Quebec’s music industry and Canadian Francophone artists, as well as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Many Francophone artists have been celebrated through NMC’s exhibitions and supported through its artist residencies and live performance programs.
The Montreal space will also host a number of activities bringing NMC’s curatorial experience and storytelling approach to new audiences in Quebec. These efforts align with NMC’s national mandate to celebrate, preserve, and share the stories of Canadian music from coast to coast to coast.
By establishing a presence in Montreal, the National Music Centre is taking a meaningful step toward building stronger connections between Canada’s English and French-speaking music communities, and furthering its aspiration is to be present in other parts of Canada over the coming years.