STM launches two public artwork competitions in the métro

Montréal, November 25, 2019 – Today, the STM is launching two competitions for the creation of artworks that will be installed in the Montréal métro’s Préfontaine and Villa-Maria stations. The competitions are part of these stations’ expansion projects for the installation of elevators, funded by the Ministère des Transports du Québec, and in line with the Politique d’intégration des arts à l’architecture et à l’environnement des bâtiments et des sites gouvernementaux et publics (1% policy).

Professional artists in Quebec are invited to submit their applications no later than January 10, 2020, at 4 p.m. The winning submissions will be announced in September 2020. Competition rules and programs are available as attachments (In French only).

In carrying out these competitions, the STM has the support of the City of Montréal’s public art bureau, reputed for its considerable expertise in the matter. The STM also solicited the cooperation of several influential public figures in the Montréal visual arts scene to form two juries, who will initially select three finalists for each competition before selecting the winning submission from each one.

Two stations, two approaches

Designed by architect Henri Brillon and inaugurated in 1976, Préfontaine station is one of the first stations built by the Metropolitan Transportation Bureau (MTB). The new artwork (a sculptural project) will be located outside the station, near the new entrance. It will pay tribute to the MTB, a public body officially created on February 24, 1970. The work will also highlight the new canopy, while guiding the clientele to the new entrance.

Villa-Maria station was opened in 1981. At the time, architect André Léonard designed colorful decorative elements to guide travelers in this vast cathedral of concrete. The new artwork (a mural project) will accompany the elevators and help understand their progression in the large space that dominates the platforms and the walkway. However, it should not compete with the decorative elements imagined by the original architect.

During construction of the métro’s initial network, leading up to the 1967 World Fair, Expo 67, and later with each métro expansion, officials in Montréal were inspired to include works of art in most stations. Featured throughout the network, the STM’s impressive collection today consists of 85 creations by Quebec artists.

Useful documents

• Règlement et programme du concours pour une oeuvre d'art intégrée à la station Préfontaine
• Règlement et programme du concours pour une oeuvre d'art intégrée à la station Villa-Maria

Images de la station Préfontaine

Images de la station Villa-Maria

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Source:
Benoît Clairoux
Advisor, Public Affairs
514-350-0800, extension 87198
benoit.clairoux@stm.info