The MMFA’s Young Philanthropists’ Circle celebrates five years of acquisitions at Papier

This year, the Young Philanthropists’ Circle (YPC) of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts’ (MMFA) Foundation is marking the fifth anniversary of its partnership with Papier Contemporary Art Fair – an alliance that has given rise to the acquisition of 14 works. The YPC works together with the Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC), the organizer of the annual event, with a view to enriching the MMFA’s collection while supporting artists and celebrating contemporary art. For the past five years, the MMFA has also had a parallel promotional agreement with Papier to raise the fair’s profile with collectors, Museum Members and the general public.

Since 2015, a total of 14 artworks presented at Papier have been added to the MMFA’s permanent collection. These works were selected by the Museum’s curators, with support from YPC members and various acquisition funds. Through this acquisition partnership, a number of artists have made their entry into the Museum’s collection, which has springboarded their careers. Among these creators are Jacynthe Carrier, Jannick Deslauriers, Claudie Gagnon, Andréanne Godin, Passa Mangiuk, Natascha Niederstrass, Joseph Tisiga, and Chloe Lum and Yannick Desranleau (Seripop).

Two artists will join the list this year: Adam Basanta, with 72%match: Barnett Newman “Dyonisius”, 1949, and Jessica Houston, with Ideas in Things (Antarctic Peninsula). These works were selected at the 2020 edition of the Fair by Sylvie Lacerte, Curator of Quebec and Canadian Contemporary Art, MMFA. The acquisitions were made possible thanks to the YPC Fund and the André Dufour Fund (Mr. Dufour is notably a donor and member of the Acquisition Committee – Quebec and Canadian Art) as well as by the Hamelys Fund and the Marie-Solange Apollon Fund, which was initiated by artist Manuel Mathieu, in collaboration with many donors to encourage artists not yet represented at the MMFA.

The Young Philanthropists’ Circle: up-and-comers making their mark The Young Philanthropists’ Circle, backed by Canadian engineering firm Hatch, is made up of over 500 young patrons with a passion for culture and philanthropy. Debunking the myth that you have to be a certain age to patronize the arts, the members of the YPC are professionals under 40 who have a thirst for culture and a desire to contribute to the MMFA’s mission. Their activities provide the Museum with invaluable support, generating annual net proceeds of $150,000, which go toward presenting exhibitions and acquiring contemporary artworks. Since 2012, the YPC has sponsored over 20 exhibitions and enabled the acquisition of 14 contemporary works.

Among the benefits these young professionals enjoy as members of this Circle are priority access to the Museum’s exhibitions and invitations to exclusive events that allow them to expand their business networks, get a behind-the-scenes experience of the MFMA and benefit from the knowledge of the institution’s experts. Become a member: https://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/philanthropic-circles/young-philanthropist-circle/