Scotiabank and Jarislowsky Fraser commit
$1 million to the MMFA over three
years
New agreement enables the creation of a
Curator of Indigenous Art at the Museum position, and the
presentation of the MMFA membership program
MONTREAL, April 11,
2022 /CNW/ - The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
(MMFA) Foundation is pleased to announce a new sponsorship with
Scotiabank, in association with Jarislowsky, Fraser Limited
(Jarislowsky Fraser). This commitment from Scotiabank and
Jarislowsky Fraser of $1 million over
three years supports a three-part agreement that enables the Museum
to establish its first Curator of Indigenous Art and create an
internship program for Indigenous students in all arts-related
fields of study. Also under the terms of the agreement, Jarislowsky
Fraser will become the Presenting Sponsor of the MMFA's Members
program.
"Art plays an important role in our society – connecting us
to each other, providing an important lens into our shared
history and inspiring us to see the world through different
perspectives," stated Maxime Ménard, President and CEO of
Jarislowsky Fraser. "Arts and culture have long been central to
both Scotiabank and Jarislowsky Fraser's engagement in the
community. We are proud to announce this new sponsorship agreement
and to work with The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to promote and
elevate our collective understanding of our cultural
heritage."
A new curatorial position in
Indigenous art at the MMFA
For years, Indigenous artists have been writing a new chapter in
the history of Canadian art. The generation of Indigenous artists
who have established professional careers over the last two decades
has revolutionized the Canadian cultural scene by redefining the
role art plays in the shaping of a collective identity and by
expanding what that encompasses. This new agreement enables the
creation of a Curator of Indigenous art position, the first of its
kind at the MMFA and further strengthening the Museum's engagement
with this aspect of our country's art.
"The establishment of a curatorial position in Indigenous art
is fundamental to the Museum continuing to be in the vanguard of
showcasing the work of all Canadian artists. With the creation of
this key position, the MMFA ensures it will remain a leader in the
acquisition of Indigenous artworks, organization of exhibitions,
research on the history of Indigenous art and introduction of
cultural mediation programs for many different audiences. The
curator of Indigenous art role will be essential in the Museum's
development and for ensuring its support of a driving force in
Canadian art. The individual who will hold this new position will
play a critically important part within the Museum in further
crystallizing the institution's commitment to inclusion and
accessibility. We are very pleased to have Scotiabank and
Jarislowsky Fraser support this historic initiative," explained
Stéphane Aquin, Director of the MMFA.
A new internship program for
Indigenous students
The second part of the agreement between the MMFA and Scotiabank
enables the creation of an internship program for Indigenous
students in all arts-related fields of study. Interns will gain
valuable experience with the Museum's curatorial department,
enabling them to learn about museum careers, the institution's
day-to-day realities, research and the process involved in mounting
exhibitions.
This internship program will educate and inspire a new
generation of curators and museum professionals who will become
leaders of change and ensure better institutional representation of
Indigenous art and communities.
Support for the Museum's Members
program
Under the third component of this agreement, Jarislowsky Fraser
will become the proud Presenting Sponsor of the MMFA's Members
program. As Presenting Sponsor, Jarislowsky Fraser will support the
exclusive events and offerings available to the close to 100,000
loyal Members – art enthusiasts who participate in the MMFA's
programs year after year and make an active contribution to the
fulfillment of its mission.
Danielle Champagne,
Director General of the MMFA Foundation, said, "It should be
remembered that the MMFA was founded in 1860 by Montreal collectors and art lovers who wanted
to share their passion with the entire community; those close
connections have remained over the years and the same sense of
loyalty can still be found among the Museum's members, who
contribute very substantially to this great institution's
self-funding. The young people aged 30 and under, the adults,
families, donors and collectors making up the Museum's some 100,000
members come from all backgrounds and form a core group of faithful
representing approximately half of all visitors annually. We are
therefore very honoured that Scotiabank and Jarislowsky Fraser have
agreed, for the first time in the Museum's history, to sponsor this
membership program."
The MMFA welcomes this important new relationship with
Scotiabank and Jarislowsky Fraser, which now become Major
Patrons of the Montreal
institution.
About the Montreal Museum of Fine
Arts
Founded in 1860, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is the
oldest art museum in Canada and a
leading museum in North America.
Its collection showcases Quebec
and Canadian heritage and international art from a critical and
intercultural perspective, and comprises some
45,000 paintings, sculptures, graphic art works, photographs,
multimedia installations and decorative art objects dating from
antiquity to the present. The MMFA's exhibitions span every
discipline from archaeology to fine arts, to contemporary
practices. Laid out over five interconnecting pavilions, the Museum
complex includes over 80 exhibition galleries, the Bourgie
concert hall, an auditorium and movie theatre, the Boutique and
Bookstore, an in-house publishing department, a public sculpture
garden and the Michel de la Chenelière International Atelier for
Education and Art Therapy. A pioneering museum in the provision of
art therapy, the MMFA works with the community, education, health
and technology sectors to give all people exposure to art through
inclusive and enriching experiences. mbam.qc.ca
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our
purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families
and their communities achieve success through a broad range of
advice, products and services, including personal and commercial
banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and
investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of
approximately 90,000 employees and assets of approximately
$1.2 trillion (as at January 31, 2022), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit
http://www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter
@ScotiabankViews.
About Jarislowsky, Fraser
Limited
Founded in 1955 as a research boutique, Jarislowsky Fraser today
manages the portfolios of pension funds, foundations and
endowments, Indigenous organizations, corporations and individuals
in Canada and internationally —
representing close to $63 billion in
assets under management, as of December 31,
2021. Its investment philosophy is built on a foundation of
time-tested conservative principles and more than 60 years of
fundamental research. Jarislowsky Fraser's history and culture
are rooted in investment stewardship, which is expressed through an
adherence to quality investing, a long-term investment horizon and
the advancement of good governance and sustainable
investing. Jarislowsky Fraser is a wholly owned subsidiary of
The Bank of Nova Scotia
(Scotiabank). jflglobal.com
SOURCE Scotiabank