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The Pontiac Artists’ Association will be recognized as a key nurturing force for the growth of the arts in the region of Pontiac, Quebec.
The mission of Pontiac Artists’ Association is to promote arts and culture, and to contribute to the cultural life of the Pontiac region.
In this sense, it intends to encourage the flowering of the artistic potential in the region.
In order to fulfil its mission, the Pontiac Artists’ Association will devote its efforts to the creation, education and diffusion of art and artists.
The medium and long term objectives of the Pontiac Artists’ Association are outlined as follows:
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To continue to offer a diversified program of cultural events;
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To assist the School of the Arts and the Studio Tour in their development;
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To have a full-time coordinator working for the Pontiac Artists’ Association;
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To house the PAA’s office;
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To have access to a community space suitable for exhibitions and events.
The structure
The Pontiac Artists’ Association is a democratic organisation based on the commitment of its members at all levels. Its structure combines professionalism and efficiency in the voluntary action of its members.
Our history
The idea of an association of artists germinated in a meeting of five visual artists and a writer in 1989. The Pontiac Artists’ Studio Tour Association (P.A.S.T.A.) grew out of the meeting. Already, the promotion of professional and emerging artists was a key motivation for founding the association.
For nineteen years, the Studio Tour has continued to educate the community in the arts and contribute to the cultural life of Pontiac. It has offered youth in the region the opportunity to discover the arts through its free activities including the Young Artists’ Workshop Program and Art in the Park (Plein Air, Plein Art). The artists of Pontiac have exhibited nationally and internationally.
P.A.S.T.A. has since evolved into what is known today as the Pontiac Artists’ Association. In 2001, with its broader mandate, but still primarily concerned with the promotion of artists and cultural life, members of the association assisted the CLD with a feasibility study for a Cultural Centre for Pontiac.
The Studio Tour has had tremendous success, attracting thousands of visitors to Pontiac. In 1995, it was awarded the Jury’s Special Prize at The Outaouais Tourism Awards.
In 2003 the Pontiac Artists’ Association contributed to the creation of a position of cultural agent at the MRC Pontiac. Two years later, it participated in the drafting of a cultural policy, which was presented to and adopted by the MRC in 2005.
In 2004, through the dedication of a group of community members and artists, the Pontiac School of the Arts was formed. The aim of the school is to offer the opportunity to learn and teach courses that cater to community and families. In its first three years, the School has been a true success story, achieving increases of 50% and 30% in annual enrolment. Furthering its mission of education, training and community involvement, the School of the Arts has entered into partnership with various organizations, notably Québec en forme, the Campbell’s Bay Community Learning Centre and the Heritage College Continuing Education Department. In its fourth year, the School is closer to achieving its goal of offering a year-round program.
Currently, the Pontiac Artists’ Association acts as an umbrella organization for the Studio Tour, the School of the Arts and other events and exhibitions, each activity having its own program and stakeholders.
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