Founded in 2021 by Sarah Turcotte, Projet commun is a non-profit cultural organization that develops artistic proposals and designs exhibitions based on an experimental collaborative approach. Working cohorts are formed, bringing together emerging artists and curators as well as members of the public, to realize “common projects” (projets communs). While the diversity of perspectives integrated into each cohort enriches the reflections carried out within the organization, the creation of partnerships with external teams and diverse venues allow projects to come to life in public spaces and new contexts. Discussions thus continue within a broader circle, and, little by little, a community is built.
To date, Projet commun has established several collaborations and partnerships. Thanks to the invaluable support of the Observatoire des médiations culturelles (OMEC), the Groupe de recherche sur l'éducation et les musées (GREM), the Institut du patrimoine (IP), the Association facultaire étudiante des arts at the Université du Québec à Montréal (AFÉA), the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM), and Marilou Bourdon (Trois fois par jour), major projects were produced and presented to the public (exhibitions, performances, lectures, publications, public discussions, video productions, booths at markets and fairs).
MISSION
Design exhibitions and develop cultural proposals based on an experimental collaborative approach that promotes the encounter between a diversity of curators, artists, audiences and environments.
Recognize, support and promote skills and work of emerging artists and curators in addition to integrating publics voice in each of the productions.
Create and consolidate connections between individuals and spaces that form the artistic and cultural community of Quebec.
HISTORY AND VISION
Sarah founded Projet commun with the aim of experimenting with new methods for developing cultural content and producing exhibitions in an era marked by communication technologies, the accessibility of public spaces, and the constraints imposed by competitive markets. Committed to the democratization of the arts, she is interested in collaborative approaches and inclusive processes. Together with the members of the programming committee, she reflects on the fairest and most effective ways of operating to formulate and present high-quality cultural proposals, while fostering unexpected yet enriching encounters between artists, curators, audiences, and diverse environments. Projet commun is therefore conceived as an experimental, open, and evolving framework that aims not only to contribute to the promotion of democratic practices but also to the recognition of artistic works rooted in a thoughtful approach.
It is important to emphasize that the activities of the Projet commun organization take place mainly in Tiohtià:ke / Montreal, an ancestral territory that has long served as a place of life, gatherings and exchanges between indigenous peoples, notably the Kanien’kehá:ka nation. We honor, respect and recognize those nations who have never ceded their rights or sovereign authority over the lands and waters where Projet commun was founded and continues to evolve.