Over $1.2 Million in Net Proceeds Raised by the 62th Edition of the MMFA Ball
From left to right: Jean-François Côté, 2022 Ball's Co-Chair and President and CEO of Sharethrough; Maxime Ménard, Ball's Honorary Chair and President and CEO of Jarislowsky Fraser; Stéphane Aquin, MMFA's Director; Françoise Sullivan, Guest of honour and multidisciplinary artist; Jo-Anne Duchesne, Director General of the MMFA Foundation; Sylvie Demers, President of the MMFA Foundation; et André Dufour, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the MMFA Photo Frédéric Faddoul
On Saturday, November 26, the 900 guests invited to the 62nd edition of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) Ball were greeted by a vibrant universe full of colour. Dubbed PRISMA and presented by Scotiabank, the MMFA Foundation’s annual fundraising event was once again able to count on the support of a dedicated community. Over $1.2 million in net proceeds were raised in support of the Museum’s top priorities: programming, enhancement of its collections, maintenance and development of educational and wellness programs, and accessibility.
The prestigious event was presented under the honorary chairmanship of Maxime Ménard, President and CEO of Jarislowsky Fraser, with Jean-François Côté, President and CEO of Sharethrough, as co-chair. The fundraiser also celebrated a veritable icon of Quebec culture, multidisciplinary artist Françoise Sullivan, who was guest of honour.
“The Museum Ball is an opportunity to celebrate art in all its glory, but also to reflect on its power. On this evening, all of our generous guests are united by their shared belief in art’s ability to have a positive impact on the community and in the importance of supporting access to art for all. Stéphane Aquin, Director of the MBAM, joins me in thanking all the donors, partners, volunteers and loyal friends who make this magical moment possible,” explained Jo-Anne Duchesne, Director General of the MMFA Foundation.
Guests had the opportunity to visit the major exhibition Seeing Loud: Basquiat and Music before sitting down to enjoy a gourmet meal showcasing products from Quebec. The menu was designed by Hugo Coudurier, the renowned chef of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel’s Champlain restaurant, and put together by the team from the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, under the direction of Armando Arruda and the executive chef, Baptiste Peupion. To top it off, the Museum After-Ball, an exclusive event organized specifically for donors of the Young Philanthropists’ Circle and the Angel Circle, was also back this year.
The nine spectacular banquet rooms offered guests a colourful and enchanting environment accompanied by works of art from the MMFA’s permanent collection. This vibrant and light-filled universe was imagined by Anne-Séguin Poirier, artistic director and scenographer, and by Valentine Hinfray and Alexandra Briand-Soucy, coordinators of the event and artistic collaborations, supported by the teams of the Museum and its Foundation.
It’s important to note that the MMFA Ball is a fundraising event that is vital to maintaining the operations and activities of the Museum which, since it is a non-profit organization, must rely on self-financing to fund nearly 60% of its operating budget.
The next edition of the Museum Ball will be held on November 18, 2023, with France Margaret Bélanger, President, Sports and Entertainment, CH Group, and Charles Emond, President and CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), serving as co-chairs. Book your tickets now at the following address: baldumusee@mbamtl.org.
Acknowledgements
Presenting Sponsor: Scotiabank
Chromatic Partner: Denalt Paints
Photo Station Partner: CN
Official Partner of the After-Ball: Dunton Rainville
Official Airline: Air Canada
Gastronomical Partners: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth – caterer; SAQ – wines and champagne; and Forand Évènements
Artistic Partners: Lexis / Music Is My Sanctuary, opening performance; Jewelle McKenzie, musical performance; DJ Tallandskiinny, music; Charlotte Lefebvre, floral decorations; Frédéric Faddoul, Laurence Hervieux-Gosselin and Sébastien Roy, photography
Artistic Collaborators: Mérida Anderson / YYY, Clovis-Alexandre Desvarieux, Alexis Johnston-Benamou and Jean-François Tétreault / T-Node
Sponsors: Expert’Ease, sound, video and lighting; ABP Sofa to Go, room decor; Roche Bobois, lounge furniture; Arts.Film/FIFA and OSM, parting gifts; Paprika, visual identity; LG Chabot, printing; Pro Séri and Sizons, signage and decor printing; Valet Prestige, valet service
The Museum Foundation would also like to thank Club local, Kamúy, Les Aliments Lesters, Loue1Robe/Loue1Tux, Makaya Chocolat, Metro, Pâtisserie Polonaise Wawel, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Peter’s Heaters and Staff Personnel Événementiel
