History

AQM reached a major turning point in the year 2000 when it secured stable funding, making it possible to hire its first coordinator, Stéphane Guy. With this infusion of fresh energy, the organization experienced significant growth in its activities, structured around get-togethers, professional development, conferences, and publications.

The association has successfully established productive partnerships, notably with Casteliers, which led to the creation of the Maison Internationale des Arts de la Marionnette (MIAM). Since 2018, the MIAM has grown to become the heartbeat of Québec’s puppetry community. It provides a home base for creative residencies, and a source of inspiration for new projects and initiatives, e.g., the Université populaire des arts de la marionnette (UPAM) lecture series, the creative residency program, and the Community of Practice groups.

Thanks to additional financial support — Compétence Culture, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec — the AQM is able to carry out ambitious projects, including the creation of the digital portal for puppetry arts, marionNET.ca, launched in 2024.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging time, but also a time of introspection for the AQM. The MIAM played a crucial role by providing a place to ensure the continued operation of the founding organizations. This period strengthened the AQM’s commitment to its members, as it focused on their immediate needs.

In 2021, the AQM’s 40th anniversary was marked by the organization of the Terra Marionetta symposium where artists and researchers came together to celebrate the vitality of the puppetry practice and the association’s accomplishments. That same year, the AQM launched its first fundraising campaign, cultivating a philanthropic approach in keeping with its mission.

As the Québec section of UNIMA-Canada, the AQM launched a series of masterclasses held across the country, further demonstrating its expertise in the field. It has also implemented an ambitious plan to leverage the strength of Québec’s creative and performance hubs to support the development of emerging artists and foster the creation of a network of puppet-friendly venues.