About us

Our story

1982

Founded in 1982 under the name Salle Expo-Théâtre, our non-profit organization was born of the desire of three sectors to unite their voices and provide Temiscamingue with a space dedicated to culture: summer theater, visual arts and history.

Initially housed in the basement of the Frère-Moffet school, the Salle Augustin-Chénier presents an annual program: in winter, it presents exhibitions (artistic and historical) and shows. In summer, it gives up its space to the Théâtre de la Crique’s summer theater production.

1992

The 1st International Biennial of Miniature Art is inaugurated.

2000

Le Rift moves to the current Exhibition Hall, allowing the organization to benefit from the BIAM’s already well-known reputation. A hangar was specially fitted out to meet the organization’s growing needs. Meanwhile, the Société d’histoire and the Théâtre de la Crique become independent organizations.

2005

The Cinema Ville-Marie is restored. The Rift Theater is born. It is also at this time that the organization takes the name Corporation Augustin-Chénier to include the three entities: Salle Augustin-Chénier, Rift Theater and Internationale Biennial of Miniature Art.

2010

The corporation completes its growth with the definitive acquisition of the building and the Cinema of Rift.

2012

The transition to digital cinema has given rise to a change of name: RIFT. This name designates the organization as a whole, bringing together the following entities: the Galerie du Rift (Exhibition Hall), the Théâtre du Rift (Theater), the Cinéma du Rift and the Biennale Internationale of Miniature Art.

2017

A number of improvements have been made to the gallery and the theater: the balcony has been refurbished to improve safety and comfort for spectators. The offices have been partitioned off to create a more meditative state for visitors and improve employee concentration, and the marquee has been renovated and is now one of the last functional in Quebec.

Our mission

The organization’s mission is to promote cultural outreach in the Temiscamingue region by fostering accessibility and maximum use of Rift’s facilities for community development, while committing to eco-responsibility.

Our mandate

  • To present exhibitions, shows, films and cultural activities to the citizens of Temiscamingue;
  • Provide the region’s cultural workers with training, development and experimentation opportunities, such as internships, meetings, symposiums and workshops, as well as access to equipment;
  • Obtain the funding necessary to carry out Rift’s activities.
  • Administer, manage and control the corporation’s human, financial and material resources.

The Rift team

The Rift team is made up of passionate people with a desire to participate in the development and promotion of culture in Temiscamingue.

Photo credits: Caroline Perron

Alexandra Vincent-Paquin

Assistant Director

Émilie B.Côté

Artistic director of visual arts and coordinator of Exhibition Center activities

Audrey Dulong-Bérubé

Technical Director

Charlotte Perron

Movie and Performing Arts Activities Coordinator

Guillaume Internoscia

Sound manager

Geneviève Lalonde

Receptionist and cinema team leader

Elfie Fréchette

Reception at the Exhibition Center

Roxanne Champoux

Cultural mediation

Board of Directors

Geneviève Boucher
Director, Ville-Marie representative

Dominic Lafontaine
Director

Rahila Tankari
secretary/treasurer

Joany Vachon Beaulieu
director

Louis Kirouac
president

Marie-Joe Morin
vice-president

Missing from photo:

Lyne Ash

MRC representative