A digital hub to discover, explore, and experience local art
Montreal, January 27, 2026 — The Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC) is pleased to announce the development of a new project, The Galleries, a web platform intended to transform the way art enthusiasts and collectors discover contemporary art.
Accessible, intuitive, and geolocated, The Galleries will offer a unique gateway to the current cultural scene in contemporary art. The platform will enable commercial galleries, as well as other cultural organizations and institutions, to reach new audiences and strengthen their visibility, while offering a stimulating and user-friendly experience. The first phase of the platform’s rollout is planned for 2027.
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Addressing a shared need
At a time when digital technologies are profoundly reshaping how we discover and access culture, The Galleries addresses the lack of a tool that brings together, in one place, information related to contemporary art in Canada. The platform will offer the public, among other features:
● a calendar of contemporary art exhibitions and events;
● maps and customizable routes in major Canadian cities;
● editorial content to contextualize the exhibition experience.
“With The Galleries, we aim to provide an intuitive and inspiring gateway to contemporary art, while actively supporting galleries and the cultural ecosystem that surrounds them. For art lovers and emerging collectors, it can sometimes be difficult to identify nearby galleries or exhibitions. This platform will be designed to make those experiences easier. If we want to encourage interest in contemporary art and foster the emergence of new collectors, it is essential to offer a digital tool that is adapted to our field.”
— Anie Deslauriers, Director, Contemporary Art Galleries Association
By contributing to a shared digital data framework for the visual arts, The Galleries seeks to maximize the discoverability of Canadian galleries and support the vitality of the sector.
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Cultural accessibility and outreach
More than a digital tool, The Galleries is conceived to strengthen the connection between the public and the artistic community. By simplifying access to the contemporary art landscape, the platform seeks to broaden public engagement with galleries, exhibitions, and events. The Galleries also wants to highlight the role of Canadian cities as hubs of creativity and cultural dynamism, fostering greater visibility and appeal for their artistic scenes.
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Project partners
AGAC is proud to partner with experienced collaborators to design and develop The Galleries. The platform’s identity and development will be carried out with Montreal-based agency Deux Huit Huit. Their portfolio includes, among many others, the websites of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Cinéma Cinéma (Cinéma Beaubien, Cinéma du Parc, Cinéma du Musée).
“We believe in the digital space as a place of attention — a place where people pause. AGAC is giving us the opportunity to build it: a platform that connects Canadian contemporary art with today’s audiences — those who scroll, those who search, and those who now ask AI to search for them.”
— Alex Leduc, Co-founder and Director of Digital Creation, Deux Huit Huit
AGAC would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Frédéric Meunier, independent senior web consultant, who is assisting the Association in the strategic guidance of this structuring project.
Finally, the Association wishes to thank SODEC for its decisive contribution in the realization of this project. This support will enable AGAC to bring to life an innovative and unifying digital initiative, contributing to the vitality of Canada’s contemporary art sector on the national stage.