The Women’s Art Society of Montreal: a Century of Commitment to the Arts

The Women's Arts Society of Montreal was founded in 1894 by Mary Martha Phillips and Mrs. James H. Peck (nee Mary Alice Skelton). The parent body of the Society (The Women's Art Association of Canada) was incorporated in Toronto in 1892. The goal of the Montreal Society was to integrate women into the art world at a time in history when women had few rights and were relegated to other roles. In 1907, the Montreal branch of the Women's Art Association of Canada broke away from the Toronto organization to form their own independent society. During and after the First World War, the Women's Arts Society of Montreal focussed on philanthropic efforts, assisting disabled and convalescing veterans and their families. After 1938, the Society’s efforts shifted towards entertainment and other branches of the arts, such as theatre, music and studio art. In the late 1990s the Society began to accept men as members.

Montreal

McCord Museum of Canadian History

1994

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