Call for Proposals: International Symposium – Audain Museum Chair for the Automatistes

Following the numerous initiatives marking the Jean Paul Riopelle centennial celebrations, a new phase of reflection is beginning. In the context of the opening of the Espace Riopelle – Michael Audain Pavilion, the research and creative communities are invited to a major scientific, cultural, and public gathering.

The Audain Museum Chair for the Automatistes at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is launching a call for proposals for an international symposium, to be held in January 2027, dedicated to contemporary issues of memory and heritage-building. 

The symposium aims to go beyond celebration to examine the mechanisms that shape the recognition of artists and the transmission of their works. Through the lens of the Riopelle case, the goal will be to better understand how artistic narratives are constructed, how they evolve, and how they can open up to new perspectives.

The Museum invites researchers, creators, and cultural professionals who wish to participate in this international symposium to submit a proposal.

Three Overarching Axes: Creation, Institution, and Knowledge

The symposium will provide a rich space for exchange, fostering dialogue across disciplines, practices, and generations. Participants will be able to explore various themes, ranging from the dynamics of artistic collaboration to cultural mediation issues, including questions of territory, ecology, and representativeness.

To further explore these three overarching axes, six themes have been identified to organize the presentations at the Symposium:

1. Artists
2. Expertise
3. Territories
4. Bestiary
5. Heritage Status and Institutionalization
6. Audiences and the Celebration of Artists

Proposal Criteria

Proposals must include:

• A title
• A 250-word abstract (for publication in the program) outlining the research question, objectives, and methodology or main line of inquiry in relation to the symposium’s axes and/or themes
• The name(s) and affiliation(s) of the author(s)
• Audio-visual requirements
• A brief 200-word bio-bibliography of the lead author

Proposals may take various forms, such as oral communications, scientific presentations, panel discussions, or roundtables. 

Open to a wide variety of formats, this call encourages scientific approaches as much as research-creation initiatives and more experimental forms of expression. This openness reflects a clear commitment: to recognize the plurality of contributions and value perspectives that help broaden the horizons of knowledge.

An Essential Dialogue for the Future

By participating in this symposium, contributors will engage in an essential dialogue for the future of artistic and museum practices. Their contributions will not only be at the heart of the discussions but may also be recognized through a scientific publication, ensuring the long-term impact of the reflections initiated.