MU, a charitable organization that transforms Montreal’s public space through the creation of permanent murals rooted in local communities, is celebrating 20 years of creation, commitment, and urban transformation. Since its founding in 2006, the organization has created more than 300 murals across every borough of the city, helping turn Montreal into a true open-air art museum.
An exhibition at the Conseil des arts de Montréal
From September 8 to October 8, 2026, at the Maison du CAM, MU will present its anniversary exhibition Dans la tête de MU, offering an immersion into the organization’s creative world, from studio work to mural sites. Through a journey retracing twenty years of creation, engagement, and lasting impact across Montreal, the exhibition will bring together artists’ models, production artifacts, photos, objects, case studies of flagship projects, as well as a wall dedicated to murals that no longer exist. A « behind the scenes » space will also give visitors a privileged look at the inner workings of MU, following the thread of an idea — from artistic vision to material, from studio to wall, to its encounter with a neighbourhood.
> Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission, at 1210 Sherbrooke Street East, facing Parc La Fontaine in Montreal.
Vernissage and book launch on September 16, 2026
While the Dans la tête de MU exhibition opens on Tuesday, September 8, MU, in collaboration with the CAM, is organizing an evening of celebration on September 16, 2026, at the offices of this public organization dedicated to promoting the arts. From 5 to 7 p.m., the official vernissage of the exhibition will take place alongside the launch of the book « MU. Transformer Montréal par l’art mural ». On this occasion, the public will be able to meet the MU team and some of the artists featured in the book, as well as purchase a copy on-site.
Mock-up for the Tower of Songs mural, by El Mac et Gene Pendon - Credit photo : Michel de la Chenelière
May an Old Song Open a New World - Mural by Gene Pendon, Bryan Beyung - Credit photo : Olivier Bousquet
Hommage à Oliver Jones, Mural by Dan Buller, Five Eight - Credit photo : Olivier Bousquet
Its flagship collection: Montreal Cultural Trailblazers
Launched in 2010, the Montreal Cultural Trailbalzers collection pays tribute to the city’s great artistic figures: from Leonard Cohen to Alys Robi, from Marcelle Ferron to Oliver Jones. This series of narrative murals, unique in the world, celebrates the contribution of the creators who have shaped Montreal’s cultural identity. Thirty-three artists have received this honour so far.
About MU
MU is a charitable organization that transforms Montreal’s public space by creating murals rooted in communities. At the heart of its approach: creating murals so people can see and experience art every day, spark social change, and leave Montreal with an open-air art museum as its legacy. Over the past 20 years, MU has created more than 300 large-scale, permanent murals across Montreal, alongside a significant educational component. www.mumtl.org
Source:
Stéphanie Culakowa
514-247-1417
stephanie.culakowa@rugicomm.ca
