1993

Quartier Ephémère is founded, following an association between Usines Ephémères in France, and the Fondation pour le développement des artistes de la relève in Québec.

1994

Quartier Ephémère officially opens its offices at 16 Prince Street. The Société de Développement de Montréal (S.D.M.) agrees to lease to QE an abandoned warehouse in Old Montreal, free of charge, in exchange for its occupation and maintenance.

1995

On the program: many exhibits and exchanges between French and Québecois artists. QE gains more space from the S.D.M.: room for 8 artist studios, in addition to the existing gallery space and offices.

1996

A new Board of Directors is formed, setting new directions for QE. The absence of public funding —with the exception of some employment subsidies, motivates QE to seek resources from the private sector.

1997

A very good year for QE: Panique au Faubourg is a great success; stable funding and permanent staff are secured, and a private patron (Discreet Logic) is found. QE’s reputation grows within the artist community, and a proposal for a new, permanent location takes root.

1998

Initiation of the project to create a visual arts centre in the Darling Foundry. Diverse exhibitions are presented. QE acquires residential space to accommodate visiting artists —a loft located in the historic Faubourg des Récollets neighbourhood. The Québec government announces plans for redeveloping the Faubourg into the Cité Multimédia.

1999

QE temporarily relocates its offices to "the Loft." and concentrates its efforts on in situ projects and securing the necessary financing for renovations at the Darling Foundry.

2000

QE operates from inside a trailer within the Darling Foundry; organizes several exhibitions, and produces the Silophone project.

2001

As plans for the Darling Foundry gain momentum, QE relies heavily on its directors’ involvement to secure financing for Phase 1 of the renovations. QE is awarded the “Prix Orange” from the group “Sauvons Montréal” for its efforts in preserving and enhancing Montreal’s urban architectural heritage.

June 20, 2002

Official Launch of Phase 1 of The Darling Foundry, Visual Arts Centre.

2003

The Darling Foundry is nominated for the grand prize by the Montreal Arts Council, and is awarded a prize from the Association of Architects of Québec for the quality of renovations made to the Foundry. Financing is promised and the budget approved for renovations to begin on Phase 2, which is to include 17 artists’ studios and production workshops.