Tours
Remembering ACT UP Montréal
MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises
Memory, activism and creation
Join Mark Andrew Hamilton, co-curator of the exhibition, and René Leboeuf, co-curator and official photographer of ACT UP Montréal, for a guided tour offering a unique perspective on the history of the movement. Together, these two key actors in the creation of Active Grieving: The Aesthetic Activism of ACT UP Montréal look back at the stories, images and choices that shaped the exhibition. Through their accounts and reflections, learn how ACT UP Montréal marked social and community struggles in the 1990s.
An opportunity for conversation
This tour is addressed to all who are interested in learning more about the social history of Montréal, LGBTQ2S+ struggles and the power of citizen engagement. It’s a unique opportunity to ask questions and hear from those directly involved in gathering and showcasing this collective memory.
General information
This activity is offered free of charge, but spots are limited. Reserve yours today!
The tour will be offered in French, with some commentary in English.
Event
Tours
Dates
MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises
Address
1210, Saint-Laurent blvd,
Montreal, QC H2X 2S5
Phone
514 872-3207
Regular Schedule
From Jun 14 to Oct 13
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11:00 - 20:00
Wednesday
11:00 - 20:00
Thursday
11:00 - 20:00
Friday
11:00 - 20:00
Saturday
11:00 - 20:00
Sunday
11:00 - 20:00
From Oct 14 to Jun 15
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
11:00 - 20:00
Thursday
11:00 - 20:00
Friday
11:00 - 20:00
Saturday
11:00 - 20:00
Sunday
11:00 - 18:00
From Jun 9 to Oct 12
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11:00 - 18:00
Wednesday
11:00 - 19:30
Thursday
11:00 - 19:30
Friday
11:00 - 19:30
Saturday
11:00 - 19:30
Sunday
11:00 - 18:00
Holidays Schedule
Dec 25
Closed
Jan 1
Closed
Facilities
Temporary exhibition
from Sep 26, 2023 to Jan 31, 2027
Detours - Urban experiences
DETOURS – URBAN EXPERIENCES IS AN IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION THAT TAKES YOU INTO THE WORLD OF MONTREALERS WITH SINGULAR BACKGROUNDS.
Permanent exhibition
MONTRÉAL
The permanent exhibition MONTRÉAL invites you to explore the city from the inside. Meet its citizens and discover what distinguishes and unites them, and what has shaped Montréal’s unique identity over the course of its history.
Temporary exhibition
from May 20, 2026 to Sep 18, 2026
Corridart: The Exhibition that Vanished Overnight
Dismantled prior to the 1976 Olympic Games, the Corridart exhibition is a story of censorship, public art and curtailed freedom.
Temporary exhibition
from Jun 9, 2026 to Jun 6, 2027
Le cucitrici : Voices of Montréal’s Italian seamstresses
Discover the little-known history of immigrant Italian seamstresses whose work profoundly marked the city and its communities.
Temporary exhibition
from Jun 16, 2026 to Nov 22, 2026
The 1976 Olympic Games: Stories and Souvenirs
The MEM is putting on an exhibition of objects commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Montréal Olympic Games in its Window Display area
Temporary exhibition
from Jul 31, 2026 to Feb 14, 2027
Active Grieving The Aesthetic Activism of ACT UP Montréal
An exhibition by the Archives gaies du Québec, developed with the support of the MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises
Others
The “Wing’s Block”: A Cultural Anchor for Chinatown’s Future In collaboration with the JIA Foundation
In the heart of Chinatown, the “Wing’s Block” is a vibrant site where memory and culture meet and evolve.
Concerts
MUZ at the MEM
As part of the Journées de la culture, discover three artists with hybrid musical styles during this fun evening celebrating journeys, cultures and encounters.
Tours
Witnesses to History: The Words of Seamstresses Past and Present
Sunday, October 4, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m. Meet women who experienced the history of Montréal’s garment industry firsthand. A guided tour in which Italian seamstresses share their memories.
Others
Launch of the graphic novel Corridart : un diamant emballé dans du papier journal
The history of Corridart comes back to life in images and memories. Meet the artists Siris and Marc Tessier at the launch of their new graphic novel novel inspired by an important chapter in Montréal’s cultural history.
Films
Doctors with Heart: caring and working together
A documentary that is both moving and disturbing. This powerful film about solidarity and commitment speaks directly to the struggles of ACT UP Montréal.
Facility activities
Mystery at the bottom of a pothole
On Wednesday, October 28, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., the MEM invites you to a Halloween evening like no other. Lead a surprising investigation in a festive ambiance with music and a cash bar open all evening.
Facility activities
TEENS – The Power of Typography With Supersystème
On November 24, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., get crafty to turn an idea that’s important to you into an eye-catching visual campaign.
Others
Off-the-Wall Evening – The MEM’s Big Thrift Event
On Thursday, November 26, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., the MEM will be transformed into a giant pop-up thrift store.
Facility activities
TEENS – Mystery game: Montréal in the Ice Storm
An investigation, five challenges and a trunk containing incomplete archival records that must be opened within the allotted time. Can you find the missing information to reconstruct the history of the ice storm that paralyzed Montréal in 1998?