Our story
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.
The 1st International Biennial of Miniature Art is inaugurated.
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.
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.
The corporation completes its growth with the definitive acquisition of the building and the Cinema of Rift.
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.
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.