ABOUT US

Concordia’s public art collection was brought to life over 50 years ago with the integration of painted glass windows by Jean McEwen into the newly built Henry F. Hall building at Sir George Williams University, one of Concordia’s founding institutions. 

Much of our current collection is a compilation of donations, commissions and works that were acquired during the rapid expansion of the University that begain in 2000. Thanks to the Ministère de la culture et des communications and the Politique d’intégration des arts à l’architecture program (also known as the 1% program), Concordia has benefitted from provincial funds for the creation of several large-scale public artworks featuring renowned Quebec artists.

In 2021, Concordia embarked on a fact-finding mission to help guide the future of public art on its campuses.  Concordia’s new public art policy is a commitment to responsible stewardship of the collection and reflects current societal values such as inclusivity, equity, sustainability, accessibility and Indigenous cultural expression.

Future programs and acquisitions will bring new vitality and social relevance to the collection and better represent its public.