"Founded in 1964, the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (MACM)—also known as "the MAC" or "le MAC" by locals—anchors the massive Place des Arts cultural complex downtown. The MAC presents temporary exhibitions devoted to current artists from Canada and abroad, as well as exhibitions drawn from the museum’s permanent collection of some 8,000 pieces: digital, sound, and video works, installations, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and paper artifacts. There are also artistic performances and special events, including Nocturne evenings, late-night fêtes featuring DJs and drinks. Although it's popular with the obvious crowd—lovers of contemporary art—the MAC works hard to expand its audience. A recent Leonard Cohen exhibition, which paid tribute to the musician and Montreal native, was a blockbuster that drew art-lovers from around the world, including U2 frontman Bono." - Richard Burnett
