OF 2012
In November, 2011, VOX will move to the 2-22 building in downtown Montreal – a building dedicated to culture at the entrance of the Quartier des spectacles – with its IMAGO partners Artexte and the RCAAQ (Regroupement des centres d’artistes autogérés du Québec), as well as CIBL and the Vitrine Culturelle.
This long-term move is possible thanks to the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine du Québec and the FSI (Fonds de Stimulation des Infrastructures) of the Federal government. Funding will enable VOX to purchase 8 934 sq. ft. of space on the building’s top floor, as well as 1 118,5 sq. ft. in the basement. This significant change will allow VOX to:
· enhance the quality of its activities by enlarging and adding exhibition spaces, as well as support spaces (workshop, storage, etc.);
· improve the exhibition areas by providing the artists and partnering organizations with the necessary professional conditions and equipment, as well a controlled environment in line with museum standards;
· ensure a strong and dynamic presence of visual arts in the Quartier des spectacles by presenting a range of cultural programming on the two upper levels of the 2-22 building. Artexte and RCAAQ will occupy the floor just below VOX.
The move to the 2-22 building will support the continued development of the centre that has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. VOX’s new installations will mean a considerable expansion of exhibition areas – an increase from 1 800 sq. ft to 4 500 sq. ft – which have been designed to host a wider range of activities. Its programming will unfold in two distinct exhibition areas: a main room alongside a viewing room, that will host four large-scale individual or group exhibitions a year; and a multi-purpose project room with activities and exhibitions varying in duration, equipped to present a wide range of emerging art practices and projects developed in conjunction with cultural partners. These areas will be rounded out by a 300 sq. ft space for presenting ongoing film series, as well as a lounge area to view Web projects and to consult documentation on the exhibitions. Finally, in order to meet artists’ and partners’ needs, VOX will purchase specialized equipment for its exhibition spaces including technical grids, projectors, DVD and media players, computers and a LED lighting system in keeping with the environmental standards of the building and essential for presenting works. It will also be equipped with a centralized temperature and humidity control system that will meet museum standards.
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