ABOUT US

Concordia's public art collection, a unique amalgamation of public artworks and artifacts, was brought to life over 50 years ago when Jean McEwen's painted glass windows were integrated into the newly built Henry F. Hall building at Sir George Williams University, one of Concordia's founding institutions.       

 The permanent collection is a compilation of donations, commissions and public artworks that were acquired during the rapid expansion of the University that began in 2000 and is accessible in person and online, on both the Loyola and Sir George Williams campuses year-round.

Thanks to the Ministère de la culture et des communications and their Politique d’intégration des arts à l’architecture program (also known as the 1% program), Concordia has benefitted from provincial funds to grow the collection substantially. Since the 1990’s the 1% program has allowed Concordia to acquire several large-scale public artworks by renowned Quebec artists, including; Rose-Marie Goulet & Alain Paiement as part of Effets Publics, Geneviève Cadieux, Pierre Blanchette, Nicolas Baier, Marie-France Brière, and Marc-Antoine Côté.

In June 2020 Concordia created a new Public Art Lead role to oversee the creation of the governance structure that will ensure the long-term care of the university’s public art collection.

As stewards of Concordia’s public art, we generate opportunities for dynamic learning and engagement through art, and establish supportive networks for original creation.