Annie Gauthier (2014-2016)

Director and Chief Curator

Annie Gauthier served as Director General of the Musée d’art de Joliette, from 2012 to 2016, where she oversaw its $14.5-million project to upgrade standards and expand and renovate the premises. This involved moving the collection of some 8 500 works out of the museum and back in again, and reorganizing the permanent exhibition. At the same time, she spearheaded a major campaign to raise $2.2 million for new construction. While the Museum was closed, she established an artists’ residency plan and revamped a number of institutional practices (collection policies; standards relating to donations; document and archive management; education policy). Prior to this time, she was regularly involved with Canadian art circles and directed the Artist-Run Centres and Collectives Conference (ARCA), in addition to being responsible for the professional development service of the Regroupement des centres d’artistes autogérés du Québec (RCAAQ), working to secure recognition for the organizational model of artist-run centres and advancing and promoting the practice and appreciation of visual arts. During one five-year period, she worked as a programming officer in the Visual Arts section of the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) and, later, as the outside coordinator of the CCA’s Flying Squad organizational assistance program. She has delivered numerous lectures and been a member of many art grant evaluation committees (for both individuals and organizations). She is a member of the board of directors of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.