The history of the École

Explore the history of the École d’ébénisterie d’art de Montréal and find out how it became a gold standard in Québec applied arts.

1900

The development of arts and crafts training

In the early twentieth century, markets were flooded by American goods produced during the industrial revolution. Therefore, Québec artisanal production was in a severe crisis. The government of the time decided to intervene by organizing training of craftspeople to stimulate the sector.

1935

The École du Meuble

In 1935, Jean-Marie Gauvreau, a passionate woodworker who had trained at the École Boulle in Paris, founded the École du meuble. This initiative fell within the government’s intention to develop a post-secondary vocational and technical training network. Well-known artists and craftspeople (architects, designers, decorators, woodworkers, cabinetmakers, sculptors, painters, blacksmiths, ceramicists, weavers, upholsterers, and art critics) taught there. Thanks to their renown, the École du meuble quickly became known as a landmark establishment in the Québec creative sector.

1958

From the École du Meuble to the Cégep du Vieux Montréal

In 1958, the École du meuble became the Institut des arts appliqués. In 1969, the school was integrated with the Cégep du Vieux Montréal, today a partner of the École d’ébénisterie d’art de Montréal.

1984

Structuring of applied-arts training in Québec

In 1984, the Québec government reached an agreement with the applied-arts sector concerning the training and specialized services offered to craftspeople. This agreement gave rise to the Plan national de formation en métiers d’art.

The Cégep du Vieux Montréal, charged with implementing this plan for western Québec, therefore created the Institut des métiers d’art (IMA). This organization is responsible for maintaining partnerships with school-workshops with the goal of offering the Technique en métiers d’art technical college training program. The program is divided into eight specialization paths: ceramics, textile construction, textile printing, fine woodworking, jewellery, lutherie (the making of stringed instruments), leatherworking, and glass.

1989

The Act respecting the professional status of artists

In 1989, the Québec government adopted and implemented the Act respecting the professional status of artists (S-32.01), thus recognizing the professional status of creative artisans, including the young generation trained in the school-workshops.

2007

The creation of the École d’ébénisterie d’art de Montréal

The college training program Technique en métiers d’art, spécialisation ébénisterie artisanale has been offered for more than forty years in Montréal. Long managed by the IMA, the program evolved in 2007 when, thanks to an initiative by woodworking instructors, it officially became a school-workshop (NPO): the École d’ébénisterie d’art de Montréal (ÉÉAM).

2011

Updating college training

In fall 2011, the ÉÉAM revised its course grid in order to devote more hours to design development. Indeed, the École’s objective is to offer training adapted to the reality of contemporary fine woodworking. Since then, in addition to offering high-quality technical training inspired by traditional expertise, the ÉÉAM counts on creation and design to better equip the young generation to meet market expectations.

2014

Courses for the general public

Since 2014, the ÉÉAM has offered courses to the general public in order to democratize woodworking and to enable everyone to learn about working with wood. The École offers a range of courses to accommodate different interests and experience levels.

2019

Inauguration of an incubator workshop

In January 2019, the École inaugurated Atelier MÉ, a woodworking incubator workshop. Set up with the support of the Québec government, the incubator workshop offers services adapted to the needs of the young generation, such as workshop rentals and access to a generous and enriching community.

2020

The École relocates

In spring 2020, as the pandemic was raging, the École had to quickly leave its old premises and relocate. Therefore, during that year a temporary school was set up in suite 301 of 99 Rue Chabanel. Since its regular activities have resumed, the ÉÉAM has been looking for a new permanent location in order to keep flourishing and enduring, while developing new services and activities to respond to the needs of its clienteles.

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