Sign In

Mary Dailey Desmarais

Conservatrice en chef/Chief Curator, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

Mary-Dailey Desmarais is the Chief Curator at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), a role she has held since July 2020.134 She initially joined the museum in 2014 as an Associate Curator.4

Professional Background

Education and Early Career: Desmarais pursued her academic training with a doctorate in Art History from Yale University. During her academic journey, she completed internships at several prestigious institutions, including:

  • Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
  • Yale University Art Gallery
  • Musée Rodin in Paris
  • New York Historical Society2

Curatorial Role: In her current position, she leads the curatorial team and oversees multiple departments, including:

  • Exhibition Administration
  • Archives
  • Conservation
  • Exhibitions Production
  • Publishing1

Artistic Philosophy

Desmarais views curation as a storytelling art form. She believes that curating an exhibition is about creating a narrative that helps people see and feel something new. Her approach emphasizes collective achievement and creating a museum that serves as a hub of community and conversation.2

Notable Exhibitions: Some of her notable exhibitions include:

  • "How long does it take for one voice to reach another?" (Autumn-Winter 2021-2022)
  • "Seeing Loud: Basquiat and Music" (October 2022 - February 2023)2

Personal Insights

An interesting personal detail about Desmarais is her love for sneakers, which she says helps her "go faster and get more stuff done". She is passionate about reflecting Montreal's cultural richness in the museum's programming.2

Highlights

Oct 1 · nichemtl.com
Natural Born Curator: in conversation with Mary Dailey Desmarais
Natural Born Curator: in conversation with Mary Dailey Desmarais
Jul 6 · mbam.qc.ca
Mary-Dailey Desmarais appointed Director of the Curatorial Division ...
Mary-Dailey Desmarais appointed Director of the Curatorial Division ...

Related Questions

What are some of Mary Dailey Desmarais's most notable exhibitions at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts?
How has Mary Dailey Desmarais influenced the direction of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts since her appointment?
What challenges did Mary Dailey Desmarais face when she first became Chief Curator?
How does Mary Dailey Desmarais incorporate community and conversation into her curatorial projects?
What unique qualities does Mary Dailey Desmarais bring to her role as a curator?
Mary Dailey Desmarais
Mary Dailey Desmarais, photo 1
Mary Dailey Desmarais, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

New York, New York, United States