AGAC Unveils Plans for The Galleries, a New Web Platform for Canadian Contemporary Art

A digital hub to discover, explore, and experience local art

Montreal, February 2, 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.

Visitors during Nadine Faraj’s exhibition at McBride Contemporain in Montreal. Photo: Jean-Michael Seminaro

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:

• maps and customizable routes in major Canadian cities;
• a calendar of contemporary art exhibitions and events;
• 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 hub 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.

A visitor durting Shellie Zhang’s exhibition at Patel Brown in Toronto. Photo: Ryley Remedios

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.

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, recognized for its expertise in design and digital platforms. 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.

About AGAC

The Contemporary Art Galleries Association is a non-profit organization that actively contributes to the dissemination and promotion of Canadian artists through its different online platforms, projects and events. The Association’s primary mandate is to further develop the recognition and prosperity of the contemporary art market in Canada. The Association also fosters the public’s interest in visual arts and encourages the emergence of new contemporary art collectors.

Contact info@agac.ca
Instagram @agac_canada
LinkedIn @agaccanada

About Deux Huit Huit

Deux Huit Huit is a superdigital design agency specializing in branding, web design, and everything related. Working with Quebec and international organizations since 2010, the studio helps companies become easy to love, both online and offline. Its promise: to make its clients sexy and smart in the eyes of their customers, their market, and their team.