The Guido Molinari Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic legacy of Guido Molinari, a prominent painter known for his contributions to geometric abstraction. Established as a museum and cultural center, the Foundation operates from Molinari's last studio, housed in a former bank building in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood of Montreal.

History and Mission

The Foundation originates from the provisions in Guido Molinari's will and his own charter established during his lifetime. It is tasked with preserving a comprehensive collection of approximately 2,500 works by Molinari and maintaining a reference museum dedicated to his oeuvre. Beyond its primary focus on Molinari's art, the Foundation actively promotes the work of other contemporary artists, particularly those whose practices engage with themes and issues related to Molinari's legacy.

The mission encompasses conservation, research, exhibition, education, artistic creation, and fostering dialogues within contemporary art. It strives to be an inclusive and innovative institution that serves as a hub for understanding geometric abstraction, figurative art, and their historical and social contexts. Additionally, the Foundation supports artists through residencies, encouraging artistic development and experimentation.

Activities and Programming

The Foundation functions as an exhibition, documentation, conference, education, and creation center. It organizes temporary and permanent exhibitions that highlight both Molinari's work and that of other contemporary artists, often framed through transhistorical and theoretical perspectives. It offers public programs including conferences, educational activities, and artist residencies to facilitate exchange and reflection on art history and current practices.

Access to the Foundation's activities is generally free, reflecting its values of accessibility, inclusion, authenticity, and adherence to museum ethics. To support its operations, the Foundation offers a selection of prints designed by Guido Molinari for sale.

Facilities

Located at 3290 St. Catherine Street East in Montreal, the Foundation occupies the artist’s former studio space. It maintains regular visiting hours on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, providing a resource for researchers, artists, curators, and the general public interested in Molinari's work and contemporary art.

Vision and Values

The Foundation aims to be the reference museum for Guido Molinari’s work, rooted in its local community yet open to broader artistic and academic dialogues. Its guiding values include:

• Accessibility and inclusion for diverse audiences
• Authentic representation of Molinari’s artistic legacy
• Commitment to museum ethics and relevance in contemporary cultural discourse

Through its programs and exhibitions, the Foundation contributes to the ongoing theoretical debates in art and encourages revisiting historical works from a contemporary perspective.

This institution underscores the enduring cultural significance of Guido Molinari’s contributions to Canadian and international art, ensuring his work and related contemporary practices remain vibrant and influential.