Fonderie Darling

The Darling Foundry is a visual-arts venue that was founded and is directed by the not-for-profit art organization Quartier Éphémère, which has the mandate of supporting the creation, production, and dissemination of contemporary art. A small business by nature, the Darling Foundry develops a wide range of tools for the distribution of art to a broader public.

The Darling Foundry occupies 3,500 m2 in two adjoined former industrial buildings in Old Montreal.  It presents exhibitions, makes studios available to local artists, and hosts international residencies, offering artists and the public fulfilling experiences in an inspiring context and with a sense of coherence that facilitates the comprehension of contemporary art. A unique institution in Montreal, the Darling Foundry has set itself the objective of bringing together the local and international art scenes through its activities.

Quartier Éphémère was founded in 1994 in a former warehouse at 16 Prince Street, made available free of charge by the City of Montréal through S.I.M.P.A. This location encompassed an exhibition space and artists’ studios until 1999. The presence of Quartier Éphémère in a neglected neighbourhood responded to its mandate for revitalization of peripheral urban zones through art activities. The many in situ projects produced – one of which received the Prix Orange, awarded to an organization for the first time, in 2001 – were instrumental in dissemination of art in a neighbourhood that had been indifferent to it and now integrated it into the local culture.

The Galleries

The architectural revitalization of an industrial building such as the Darling Foundry involves exploration of new forms of exhibition presentation in which the space is an important component. Two galleries were designed to accommodate different approaches: one related to artworks for which the architectural context is essential, and the other for artworks that can be presented more autonomously. 

The Studios and Residences

In keeping with its mandate, the Darling Foundry makes low-cost studios available to Montréal artists, one of its priorities being to contribute to the advancement of the visual arts and to make the trade of artist a full-fledged profession. Thanks to its networking program, through which visits are organized for professionals from Quebec and abroad, the Darling Foundry has become an essential destination for contemporary art in Canada.

Because Quartier Éphémère was founded on a cooperation agreement between organizations in two countries (Usines Éphémères in France and the Fondation pour le Développement des Artistes de la Relève), the Darling Foundry is a natural hub for international residencies. The opening of these residencies to curators makes it possible to cast a critical eye on the work of artists on site and, more broadly, on the Montréal art scene. The presence of international professionals is an extremely stimulating part of the organization’s dynamic: it gives artists an opening to the world, and an opportunity to test their ideas and techniques and create durable relations with another country.

La Place publique

In 2005, the Darling Foundry created La Place publique, a summertime public area in front of its buildings, by closing the street to traffic. Every summer, a stage is set up for which all sorts of special events are programmed. The hope is to make La Place Publique permanent; this strategic site for raising the public’s awareness of art hosts temporary artworks and performances that attract neighbourhood residents.

With its many facilities, the Darling Foundry provokes situations of encounter: outdoor installations, discussions around exhibitions with invited guests, occasional performance events, open studios, and educational activities in creative environments within the artists’ working spaces. Seeking intersections and discoveries, frequently partnering with other organizations, the Darling Foundry brings the public for visual arts together around shared concerns.

Since 2002, from its location at the edge of Griffintown, the Darling Foundry has exerted its influence as a leader of the trend to convert buildings from the industrial era for the dissemination of visual art. By offering a unique site and activities designed for various publics, it affirms the role of art and consolidates the presence of artists as an enhancement to residents’ wellbeing and quality of life. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessible to persons with reduced mobility

HOW TO REACH

The area is served by 61, 715, 74, 168 bus lines and Square Victoria station on the orange line.

ADMISSION

Entrance $5 / Free on Thursdays