Creation of the Ariane Riou and Réal Plourde Chair for Art and Education in the Service of the Community at the MMFA

This historic moment is possible thanks to a generous and transformational donation from the Ariane Riou and Réal Plourde Foundation as part of the Foundation’s 2023-2028 Major Fundraising Campaign, The Museum Transforms Lives.

This charitable gesture marks an important milestone in the institution’s history, as it offers concrete support for the Museum’s commitment to place education and community engagement at the heart of its mission in a permanent manner. The donation will fund the position of Director of Learning and Community Engagement at the MMFA, whose incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of the Museum’s educational, cultural and community programs and activities, including research activities in art mediation.

While a common practice in the major museums of our southern neighbours, the endowed chair is a form of philanthropy that remains little-known in Quebec museums. In fact, the MMFA is the only museum in the province to have created one. The Ariane Riou and Réal Plourde Chair for Art and Education in the Service of the Community is the MMFA’s second endowed chair, after the Gail and Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair.

Thanks to a major gift of $3 million from the Ariane Riou and Réal Plourde Foundation, an endowment fund will be set up at the MMFA Foundation for the creation of the Chair. This fund will be capitalized and the revenue earned will be used to permanently finance the salary of the MMFA’s Director of Learning and Community Engagement.

All of the Museum’s and Foundation’s teams are profoundly grateful for this generous contribution.