MAI's Mission Statement:
MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels) is a multidisciplinary promoter of professional contemporary artists. As the only venue in Montreal with an intercultural mandate, MAI presents current works that have culturally diverse origins and inspirations and are intriguing for the general public.
As an incubator for the arts that emphasizes reflection and research, as a space for dialogue, interchange and collaboration between different cultures and partners, MAI is devoted to the creation, presentation and outreach of intercultural arts for a diversified audience.
MAI presents original creations in dance, music, theatre (in both French and English), multidisciplinary arts, visual arts, and new media. To promote projects with local, national and international significance, MAI supports emerging, mid-career and established artists while paying special attention to the needs of creators from distinct cultural communities.
As an artistic and intercultural sponsor, MAI creates strong, dynamic links between artists, the professional milieu, the public, and local communities in the boroughs of Montreal. These links are forged by activities that extend beyond the regular program of the venue to establish networks and helpful exchanges among the various stakeholders.
MAI's Intercultural Vision:
MAI provides a space for experiments in intercultural artistic practice. It is grounded in intercultural relations defined as interchanges between individuals or groups of defined identities. Such encounters may also be expressed by the linking of cultural objects or aesthetics borrowed from other cultures.
In the arts, this approach requires a commitment to placing dialogue at the heart of the process, and an emphasis on developing hybrid forms. With these aims in mind, MAI sponsors intercultural artistic practice by professional artists and organizations via residencies, meetings with the public, seminars, and many types of collaborative projects.
Cross-cultural creation not only provides a dynamic field for questioning intercultural relations, but also stimulates reflection on the essence of art and the necessary conditions for its renewal. Intercultural artistic practice also leads to fundamental changes in traditional artistic disciplines. Interdisciplinary productions that incorporate mixed artistic approaches and create new and original artistic languages are therefore included both in MAI's regular program and in special events or celebrations.
In the same perspective, MAI promotes the emergence and empowerment of artists and organizations dedicated to intercultural practice in their community. MAI creates strong links with local communities by promoting activities outside the venue with the support of artistic, cultural or community organizations working in the boroughs of Montreal. These events are prepared in collaboration with community agents after they have submitted a project proposal. They are designed according to the members' specific interests and take various forms: visits of professional artists from the MAI, dialogues between artists who work in different methods, coaching of local artistic and cultural activities, and technical or promotional support.
MAI therefore invites artists and organizations to submit their projects for presentation, residencies, conferences and other activities.
