Musée d’art de Joliette

The origins of the Musée d’art de Joliette date back to 1943, when Father Wilfrid Corbeil (1893–1979), a member of the Clercs de Saint-Viateur, established a painting gallery at the Séminaire de Joliette. The acquisition of works such as the famous still life Les raisins verts (1941) by Paul-Émile Borduas reflected Father Corbeil’s avant-garde spirit and that of his collaborators, helping to build the Séminaire’s museum reputation. Over the years, numerous donations further enriched the collection, including some 400 pieces gifted by Canon Wilfrid Anthony Tisdell (1890–1975). The collection continued to grow, and in 1966 the Clercs de Saint-Viateur entrusted its management to a dedicated committee.

With the creation of CEGEPs in 1968, the Séminaire transferred its college to the Ministry of Education. The Museum was forced to leave the Séminaire and temporarily moved to the former Scolasticat Saint-Charles in 1969. From that point on, the Museum’s guiding principle was to build. After extensive efforts with both the federal and provincial governments to secure operating and construction grants, the Museum officially broke ground on August 26, 1974, and opened to the public nearly a year and a half later, on January 25, 1976.

Today, the Musée d’art de Joliette is recognized as the largest art museum in Quebec outside the major urban centers. While continuing the work of conservation, research, and dissemination initiated by its founders, the Museum continues to expand its collection, which now includes approximately 8,300 works across four main areas: Canadian art, European art, contemporary art, and archaeology. At the same time, it offers a diverse program that highlights its collection and temporary exhibitions, as well as a wide range of educational and cultural activities for all audiences.