Concordia announces a $1-million donation from Power Corporation of Canada to advance Art Volt
“This gift from Power Corporation deepens our commitment to nurturing creativity and strengthening connections between Concordia alumni and the professional art world,” says Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
A new gift to the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now will significantly enhance Art Volt, a unique platform designed to launch fine-arts alumni into thriving creative careers.
A $1-million donation from Power Corporation of Canada will expand access for recent Faculty of Fine Arts graduates to collectors, industry professionals and the broader creative ecosystem.
“We are deeply grateful for Power Corporation’s support of Art Volt — a donor-led initiative that plays a crucial role for our alumni as they build successful careers in the arts,” says Concordia President Graham Carr. “This generous donation will help cultivate creative talent in Montreal and Quebec while enabling our alumni to make the challenging transition from academia to professional life.”
Adds Paul C. Genest, Senior Vice-President at Power Corporation of Canada: “Concordia’s Faculty of Fine arts is widely recognized as one of the most distinguished in North America. It has produced some of Canada’s greatest artists and arts leaders, and is renowned for its innovative spirit. The Art Volt program is one of its signature initiatives, helping to mentor, inspire and guide the next generation of artists. Our company is proud to support this exceptional initiative that helps emerging artists launch their careers.”
Launched in 2020 after a landmark $5.6-million gift from the Peter N. Thomson Family Trust, Art Volt was created to help fine-arts graduates build sustainable careers in the cultural sector, thanks to the vision of Leslie Raenden, a representative of the Trust.
“Art Volt provides our graduates with critical resources, mentorship and professional opportunities. Some also join the Art Volt Collection, a flagship of the program, a juried sales and rental marketplace that offers visibility in the commercial art world,” says Annie Gérin, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
“This gift from Power Corporation deepens our commitment to nurturing creativity and strengthening connections between Concordia alumni and the professional art world.”
Fourteen new artists join the Art Volt Collection this year and are featured as part of the program’s annual exhibition at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery until July 11.
Participants in Art Volt programs describe the experience as vital.
“Art Volt helped me connect with the professional art circuit and acquire tools to navigate it,” says Pedro Barbáchano, BFA 20, a 2025 Bronfman Fellowship laureate. “The experience has allowed me to think of how to pitch, network, price work and negotiate contracts with galleries or dealers.”
Fanny Lord-Bourcier, BFA 23, adds: “Taking the first steps into the professional art world was perhaps the most intimidating task for me after graduation. Art Volt stood out as an invaluable resource, offering unique first professional opportunities, but most importantly, excellent mentorship that I could apply successfully to kickstart my career.”
Adds Cherry Marshall, BA 06, MA 10, associate vice-president of Development: “Power Corporation shares our strong belief in the transformative power of the arts. We are sincerely grateful for the firm’s generous investment that will foster improved access for emerging artists to succeed in a competitive landscape.”