The Collection Over the Years

1979
La Collection Loto-Québec comes into being as a result of Loto-Québec’s annual printmaking competition.

1985
The Collection’s acquisitions program is established. Loto-Québec dedicates 1/100th of 1% of gross sales to the acquisition of works of art. Every year, the Collection acquires some 200 new works.

1987
The Collection creates an exhibit program that enables it to show a selection of works throughout Québec.

1989
The Société des relationnistes du Québec (today called the Société québécoise des professionnels en relations publiques) hands out two major public affairs awards. One of them, the award for best external public relations program, goes to Loto-Québec’s annual printmaking competition. La Collection Loto-Québec becomes the uncontested leader in the promotion of the visual arts, not only within the province, but also throughout the rest of Canada and abroad.

1990
With the collaboration of Loto‑Québec’s Human Resources branch, the Collection creates a sculpture competition for Loto‑Québec retirees. The first recipients of this prize are artists Dominique Valade and Charles Daudelin.

1991
Loto-Québec opens a gallery at its head office, a permanent venue where Montréalers can enjoy the Collection’s works.

Loto-Québec’s office also becomes the head office of the Association des Collections d’entreprises, a 25-member association of Quebec companies and organizations.

The Collection acquires its 500th work of art.

1994
The Repérage sales exhibit program is created to bring the Collection to the attention of Quebecers throughout the province. In order to diversify the Collection through regional acquisitions, Loto-Québec provides financial assistance to regional museums and exhibition centres wishing to host events showcasing Québec’s artists.

1995
The Collection reaches another milestone with the addition of its 1,000th work, a print by Montréal artist Betty Goodwin.

2000
In April, the Collection acquires its 2,000th work, Prolifération exubérante, a wood engraving with acrylic by young artist Yves Boucher.

2003
The Collection’s legacy is enriched by a 3,000th work, a painting in acrylic by renowned artist Guido Molinari.

2005
Loto‑Québec opens Espace Création, which is both a venue dedicated to Québec’s creativity in all its forms and an initiative fulfilling Loto‑Québec’s greater plans for the Collection. In so doing, Loto‑Québec renews and consolidates its commitment to contemporary artistic creation.

2006
Espace Création welcomes its 10,000th visitor.

2007
La Collection Loto-Québec acquires a major work by Jean-Paul Riopelle.

2008
The Collection acquires its 4,000th work.

2009
La Collection Loto-Québec celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Loto-Québec organizes a major tour of the works in its collection. Nomade, la Collection Loto-Québec en mouvement makes stops all over Québec.

Espace Création welcomes its 50,000th visitor.

2010
The Diane Dufresne et Richard Langevin, Mur à Mur exhibition welcomes more than 10,000 visitors at Espace Création.

2011
The Collection Loto-Québec is now one of the two official presenters of the Québec Triennial 2011 and a major partner of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal for the next five years.