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The art of tomorrow today

PHI is a not-for-profit organization presenting art exhibitions and events with the mission of bringing art to everyone through meaningful experiences with art.

PHI A Propos Viviengaumand
Photo: Vivien Gaumand

For over 20 years, PHI has been at the forefront of important transformations, at the intersection of art, technology and human nature, creating spaces for dialogue and exploration, enabling -us to connect with ourselves and others in an authentic and sustainable way.

The public is as central to art as art is to the public. Aiming for accessibility, PHI connects with a wide and varied set of creative practitioners and audiences through its range of programming, production activities and the many opportunities generated by its initiatives. Engaging with a broad set of perspectives is paramount to PHI, not only as an imperative of our era, but also because it is fundamental to PHI’s mission.

Our Mission

Engaging with the most relevant ideas of our time through art and culture.

The History of PHI

Birth of the Idea

The 80s and 90s

Phoebe Greenberg draws inspiration from the Fondation Cartier for her idea of a foundation for contemporary art in Montreal, called DHC/ART (Diving Horse Creations). The wish of its foundation was to create a unique exhibition center in Montreal, offering the best of world contemporary art, on a human scale.

Creation of the Foundation

2007

Opening of DHC/ART at 451 Saint-Jean Street in Old Montréal.

“From the beginning, I wanted the exhibition space to present the most engaging works of the contemporary art world, and foster a better understanding of the works to create a unique experience for the public. That’s why each exhibition also has film screenings, talks and an education program, all offered for free.”
– Phoebe Greenberg

Creation of the Centre

2012

Opening of the PHI Centre at 407 Saint-Pierre Street, a multidisciplinary space at the crossroads of art, technology and sound.

"With the opening of the PHI Centre in 2012, I wanted to create a space where new technologies and artistic disciplines could meet, intertwine, and reinvent themselves. From the very beginning, my ambition was to explore the boundaries of creation, experiment with new formats, and offer audiences immersive experiences that push the limits of perception. The PHI Centre was born from this vision: to provide a space for innovation where art, technology, and public engagement are in constant evolution."
– Phoebe Greenberg

PHI Evolution

2019

DHC/ART changes its name to PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art to unite all its activities in the field of arts and culture under a single banner.

“As a concept, “Phi” is the basis of the “golden ratio” or “divine proportions” that inform aesthetics in art, architecture, as well as the human body.” 
– Phoebe Greenberg

Launch of PHI Studio for the creation and distribution of immersive experiences.

"With the creation of PHI Studio in 2019, we wanted to take our commitment to new technologies even further. We envisioned a space dedicated to the production and distribution of works that transcend traditional formats, ranging from experimental experiences to large-scale location-based entertainment (LBE) productions. Our ambition was clear: to support artists in their exploration of new technologies and to bring these works beyond our walls, onto the international stage. Today, PHI Studio is a catalyst, a conduit for immersive experiences that resonate around the world."
– Phoebe Greenberg

2021

Launch of Habitat Sonore, an immersive listening room, in the building at 407 Saint-Pierre Street.

2021 - 2025

The PHI Contemporary project launched, bringing together all PHI's cultural offerings under one roof.

In preparation for PHI Contemporary, the entities PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art and PHI Centre were gathered to offer the public a unified cultural experience, driven by a common mission.

PHI Contemporain HUB Kuehn Pelletier Proposal SEO
Photo: © Kuehn Malvezzi + Pelletier de Fontenay, Visualization: Secchi Smith

PHI Contemporary

A new space for art and culture

PHI Contemporary will consolidate the full breadth of PHI's public cultural offer - currently distributed between 407 Saint-Pierre Street, 451 Saint-Jean Street and 465 Saint-Jean Street - under one roof.

Land Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge that PHI is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehà:ka Nation is recognized as the custodian of the lands and waters on which PHI operates today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montréal community.

Sustainability According to PHI

PHI understands that its commitment to sustainability can be its legacy. It is integral to its role as a cultural leader—and its promise to the next generation. It recognizes the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, social and economic, but also proposes that we recognize the importance of both technological and cultural sustainability. Technological and cultural sustainability represent a progressive understanding of the ways in which the world and our values are evolving.

Discover our Publications

Expand your artistic education with our exclusive publications, artist monographs, gallery guides and other printed goods, thoughtfully created to complement the exhibitions presented at PHI.