Musée d'art de Joliette

The Musée d'art de Joliette, commonly known by its acronym MAJ, has established itself as Quebec's third-largest art museum thanks to its permanent collection of nearly 9,000 works, showcasing a remarkably extensive panorama of art history from the 14th century to the most current contemporary creations. This sweeping chronological scope sets MAJ apart from many regional museums, which are typically specialized in a particular period or medium, and reflects the ambitious vision of the museum's founders to build a truly encyclopedic collection despite Joliette's relative distance from Quebec's major urban centers. The building's architecture, bathed in natural light through expansive glass openings, makes full use of its privileged location overlooking the Assomption River, making the museum one of the first notable landmarks visitors encounter upon arriving in Joliette. MAJ's cultural programming refreshes each season, alternating high-caliber contemporary art exhibitions with presentations from its permanent collection, while offering a diverse educational program for audiences of all ages. The museum stands at the heart of the Lanaudière ma muse regional museum network, which brings together eleven institutions dedicated to the arts and heritage, establishing Joliette as a remarkable cultural hub with exceptional institutional density for a city of its size.