Montreal’s Black communities are set to benefit from a significant investment, as the federal government announces nearly $16 million in funding to create a modern venue for artistic and cultural expression. This funding will enable the Montreal Afro-Canadian Cultural Centre (MACC) to further its mission of becoming a central gathering place for Black communities in the city, while also serving as a space for intercultural exchange for the wider public.

The MACC’s partnership model represents a pioneering initiative within Canada’s Black communities, aimed at fostering the sustainability of cultural and artistic institutions, strengthening ties between various economic and social players, and promoting long-term growth in the local social economy.

In addition to offering a new venue for art and culture, the funding will revitalize a historic Montreal building. The project includes the renovation and expansion of the former École des beaux-arts de Montréal, transforming it into a cultural facility to benefit the city’s Black communities.

“In a short time, the Montreal Afro-Canadian Cultural Centre has become a vital component of the city’s life and the growing network of Black-led organizations revitalizing our country’s cultural fabric,” stated Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities. “Preserving and celebrating the cultural and artistic heritage of Black communities is crucial to our support for the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent, and I am proud to support the Centre and its essential work.”

This initiative is part of the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program, which aims to enhance community facilities through green infrastructure investments, promoting sustainability and accessibility while supporting job creation. The program supports upgrades to public community buildings and new constructions in underserved communities, contributing to Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI), a federal grants and contributions program, also supports this endeavor by funding Black-led organizations to build foundational infrastructure within Black communities.

Allen Alexandre, Executive Director of the MACC, commented on the announcement: “From its inauguration in 1922 to 2009, the École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal building has hosted many notable artists and institutions. Today, with this investment, the MACC is continuing this legacy, becoming a focal point and gathering place for Black communities, and a space for intercultural exchange for the general public.”

  Montreal Quebec