VU, centre de diffusion et de production de la photographie

VU, centre de diffusion et de production de la photographie (commonly shortened to VU) is a self-managed, non-profit artist-run centre based in Quebec City, Canada. Founded in 1981, it is dedicated to promoting and supporting research and creation in contemporary photographic art. Its mission is to work with artists in the field of the photographic, helping to showcase their work and thinking while contributing to current debates around photography. As an artist-run centre, VU is formed and directed by a collective of artists, with a board of directors composed of artists and visual arts professionals. VU's activities span exhibitions, publications, residencies, and production services. The centre offers a varied programme of exhibitions, complemented by authored texts, round tables, screenings, off-site projects, and activities dedicated to the photographic. It also devotes itself to the photographic book as a space for reflection and research, producing books and related activities. Production services and spaces for digital and analogue photography are available to artists and VU members. Artist residencies support the development of practices engaged with current issues in photography. VU is a founding member of the Coopérative Méduse and a member of the Regroupement des centres d'artistes autogérés du Québec (RCAAQ). Its programming includes calls for exhibitions, residencies, and special projects, as well as coproduction project calls that make the centre's specialised equipment available to artists. The centre maintains a gallery, production workshops, and offices in Quebec City, with opening hours for each. Through its exhibitions, residencies, publications, and production support, VU plays a significant role in the Canadian and Quebec photographic art ecosystem.

VU, centre de diffusion et de production de la photographie, was founded in 1981 in Quebec City, Canada. From its inception, it has operated as a self-managed, non-profit artist-run centre, formed and directed by a collective of artists. Its mission is to promote and support research and creation in contemporary photographic art, working with artists to help disseminate their work and thinking. Over the decades, VU has developed a varied programme of activities. It offers exhibitions complemented by authored texts, round tables, screenings, off-site projects, and activities dedicated to the photographic. The centre also devotes itself to the photographic book as a space for reflection and research, producing books and related activities. Production services and spaces for digital and analogue photography are made available to artists and members. Artist residencies support the development of practices engaged with current issues in photography. VU is a founding member of the Coopérative Méduse, a collective of artist-run centres and cultural organisations in Quebec City, and a member of the Regroupement des centres d'artistes autogérés du Québec (RCAAQ). Its board of directors is composed of artists and visual arts professionals. The centre regularly issues calls for exhibitions, residencies, and special projects, as well as coproduction project calls that provide access to its specialised equipment. Through its gallery, production workshops, publications, and residencies, VU has contributed to the vitality of photographic art in Quebec and Canada.

• 2026

  Call for exhibitions, residencies, and special projects with a deadline of 1 February 2026.

• 2026

  Coproduction project call with a deadline of 15 October 2026.

• 1981

  VU is founded in Quebec City as a self-managed, non-profit artist-run centre dedicated to photographic art.

• VU becomes a founding member of the Coopérative Méduse.

• VU joins the Regroupement des centres d'artistes autogérés du Québec (RCAAQ).

A self-managed, non-profit artist-run centre dedicated to contemporary photographic art, supporting artists through production, dissemination, and residencies.

• Exhibitions

  A programme of exhibitions complemented by authored texts, round tables, screenings, and off-site projects.

• Artist residencies

  Research and creation residencies, as well as residency-exhibitions, supporting practices engaged with current issues in photography.

• Photographic book publishing

  VU produces books and activities around the photographic book as a space for reflection and research.

• Production services

  Services and spaces for digital and analogue photography offered to artists and VU members.

• Workshops and training

  Workshops such as 'Le photogramme comme pratique' with Jean-François Brière.

1. 1VU - Centre de diffusion et de production de la photographievuphoto.org
2. 2VU - À proposvuphoto.org
3. 3VU, centre de diffusion et de production de la photographiewikidata.org