The Conseil québécois des arts médiatiques or CQAM was founded on June 19th 1998. Recognized by the Quebec Council for Arts and Letters (CALQ) as the dedicated media arts national service organisation in Quebec since 2003, CQAM is the only media arts advocacy organisation in Quebec welcoming professional independent artists*, cultural workers, emerging artists and artist-run centres devoted to media arts as members.

Incorporated as a not for profit organization under the 3rd section of Quebec Company Laws, CQAM is governed by a Board of directors composed of media artists, cultural workers and artist-run centre delegates elected during the Annual General Meeting by members in good standing. 

The Quebec Council for Arts and Letters (CALQ) defines such an organisation as “a group of not for profit organisations and, possibly, individuals, from the same artistic practice or sector united by the collective goal to initiate concerted action, to represent and to defend the professional concerns and socio-economic conditions of its members, as well as those of the same community at large. A national service organisation recruits members who pay annual membership dues from its members use to finance the organisation’s activities and services.” 

CQAM provides a collective voice on issues of concern for individuals and organisations from the independent author-driven film and video, the new media and audio art communities.

Mission

CQAM’s mission is to ensure the defence, the promotion and the representation of independent professional media artists, cultural workers, centres and collectives dedicated to Media Arts through advocacy initiatives on all government levels and in all arenas, as well as any other activities required for the development of the Media Arts practice.

* An independent artist maintains complete artistic and editorial control over their work through all stages of production, including the final version and receives the majority of all fees and royalties derived from the broadcast, presentation or sale of their work.