Public art Policy

Légende: HILL, George William, Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument, 1919, Mont-Royal Park

The Ville de Montréal began to acquire art works installed in the public domain starting in the early 19th century. Its collection now encompasses over 300 works, in addition to the collection of public art works integrated into the Montréal Métro and a number of art works found in public institutions or installed in the private domain. To protect and develop the collection, in 1989 the Ville de Montréal established the Public art bureau, which oversees the preservation, acquisition, development and dissemination of the city’s collection of public art works, and also unveiled its first action plan.

The Ville de Montréal also recognized the importance of public art from the standpoint of the quality of the living environment and the enhancement of the city’s influence by including it in new policies that it has adopted since 2004, i.e. the Plan d’urbanisme (2004), the Politique du patrimoine (2005), the Politique de développement culturel – Montréal, métropole culturelle (2005) and the Plan d’action 2007-2017 – Montréal, métropole culturelle (2007). The new framework for action in the realm of public art stems from the adoption by the municipal council of these policies. Based on three guiding principles, it proposes 11 commitments aimed at the maintenance and preservation of the collections, the acquisition and development of new art works, and the dissemination and promotion of public art.

To ensure that the Ville de Montréal adopts the best possible guidelines respecting public art, Montrealers are invited to submit their suggestions and voice their opinions at public hearings to be held on May 13, June 3 and September 3, 2009.