In honour of the UN International Year of Cooperatives, we’ll be highlighting some Québec cooperatives throughout the year by sharing mini-interviews we do with them. The theme is Cooperatives Build a Better World, and we’re excited to explore this with you. Our first installment in this series features Méduse. Founded in 1993, this Québec City-based cooperative houses 10 member artist organizations focused on the arts and cinema. We interviewed Guy Dionne, the director of Méduse, to learn more about this cooperative.
Why did you choose the cooperative model (and the specific type of cooperative you chose, e.g., solidarity, worker, producer, user, etc.)?
We chose to be a cooperative of producers because it allows our members to pool their resources and expertise to support the research and development of contemporary art. This model fosters collaboration between artists, cultural organisations, and production centres while ensuring artistic autonomy and collective governance. It also provides a sustainable structure that enables artists and member organisations to benefit from a stable and well-equipped environment tailored to the demands of contemporary creation.
What has been the biggest challenge in the process of starting and/or running the cooperative?
One of the main challenges is maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure, which is essential for the production and dissemination of contemporary art. Méduse occupies 53,000 square feet (approximately 4,920 m²), a vast space that requires significant resources to ensure its proper functioning. In addition, securing sustainable funding is an ongoing challenge, as we must balance the needs of artists, the upkeep of specialised equipment, and the accessibility of spaces. Finding the right equilibrium between public support, private partnerships, and self-generated revenue is key to ensuring the cooperative’s long-term viability.
What is the best advice you received or the advice you would give someone else who is considering starting a cooperative?
It is essential to clearly define the mission and vision of the cooperative from the outset to ensure strong alignment among its members. Effective shared governance is crucial for making constructive and sustainable collective decisions. It is also vital to anticipate financial and infrastructure needs to maintain long-term stability. Although the mutualisation of services fosters creativity and innovation, it also comes at a cost in terms of administrative support, communication, and operational management. Rent pricing, therefore, needs to be carefully considered, approaching commercial standards while remaining accessible to members. Finding the right balance between affordability and economic viability is crucial for the sustainability of the cooperative.
What are you most proud of about your cooperative?
We are proud to be a major hub for research and creation in contemporary art, bringing together organisations and artists who push the boundaries of artistic experimentation. Méduse stands out as a unique production centre in Canada, offering 19 specialised laboratories covering a wide range of artistic practices: screen printing, lithography, engraving, analogue and digital photography, micro-publishing of artist books, large-format photographic printing, wood and metal transformation workshops, industrial painting, video production, animation (traditional, digital, and pin-screen), film post-production and distribution, sound recording, new music recording, kinetic artwork production, performance art testing studio, and traditional painting. This diversity of facilities enables artists to explore new approaches, refine their techniques, and collaborate within an environment conducive to innovation.
The theme of this year is Cooperatives Build a Better World, and we believe this change starts in our communities. How does your cooperative make your community a better place to be?
In addition to being a leading creative space, Méduse plays a vital role in making contemporary art accessible to the public. We offer two performance halls, seven art galleries, a cinema, and free access to an exceptional collection of 90 artworks, built over the past three decades and featuring artists from the Greater Québec City region as well as Wendat First Nation artists. By creating connections between artists and the community, Méduse contributes to a greater understanding of contemporary art and fosters dialogue between different artistic and cultural groups. This unique cooperative model strengthens the local cultural scene and embeds artistic creation at the heart of civic life.
Curious to learn more?
To learn more about Méduse, please check out their website and their Facebook page.
Photo credit header image: M. Lehmann
