Public space at heart

Quartier des spectacles international

Animate your public spaces with installations that fuel the imagination

QDSinternational is a not-for-profit organization that produces and distributes participatory installations for public spaces in collaboration with creative partners, co-producers and exhibitors around the world.

An affiliate of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, QDSinternational benefits from a competence acquired over many years, thanks to the numerous works it has commissioned for North America’s largest cultural district, bringing inspiration to thousands of visitors. The organization’s expertise is reflected in its state-of-the-art processes for the design and production of robust, safe installations suitable for all ages and designed to travel anywhere in the world and in any season.

QDSinternational relies on a network of first-rate collaborators and technical service providers active in the international exhibition of public artworks and installations. These partners allow us to produce large-scale projects and offer turnkey options adapted to the needs and realities of each site.

 


 

The Quartier des Spectacles and the Partnership

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.

Map of cultural districts around the globe

This map shows nearly 500 cultural districts all around the world. This map, an initiative of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, was produced for the 2023 annual convention of the Global Cultural District Network, that took place in Montreal, Canada from May 22 to 26, 2023.

17 works
92 cities
12 contries
25 million visitors

Animate your public spaces with installations that fuel the imagination

Installations travel thanks to our broadcast partner Jack World

For more than 10 years, Jack World has specialized in production and high-end services for public spaces. With an excellent multidisciplinary team and recognized expertise, Jack World stands out for its customized client services and unique skills in the execution of major international projects.

As the partner responsible for exporting installations, Jack World is proud to apply its expertise to the field of participatory art installations, promoting their creators’ work around the world.

Board of Directors

Monique Simard | Chair
Chair of the board of directors, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership

Éric Lefebvre | Vice-chair
Executive director, Quartier des Spectacles Partnership

Christian Lecours, CPA, CMA | Treasurer
Partner, KPMG

Marc Beaudet | Secretary
CEO, Turbulent

Jenny Thibault
Executive and artistic director, Society for Arts and Technology (SAT)

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum or maximum duration for rental of an installation?

No, rental durations are very flexible and can run from a few days to several months.

How much does it cost to rent a work?

The cost is based on two factors:

  • Rental fee (fixed): determined based on the type of installation and duration of the rental. Prices are set by the week and adjusted depending on the precise rental dates.
  • Exhibition fees (variable): this includes all costs related to presenting the installation in your public space, including production team salaries, transportation costs for both the team and the work, setup/teardown costs, and production and logistical expenses (rental or purchase).

Contact us for a quote!

Is it possible to set up different modules of an installation on multiple sites?

Because we value the artistic integrity of the work and the artist’s intent, installations cannot be split up and presented on multiple sites. However, we understand that each public space is unique, and there are several possible configurations for each work to ensure the best possible experience for everyone.