About

Mission

PRIM’s mission is to encourage and facilitate the free creation of media works through support programs and high-tech facilities while actively contributing to the development and training of independent artists.

Vision

PRIM is a bold and inclusive artist-run center that deploys its postproduction expertise and promotes the diversity of moving image and sound practices. PRIM is a collaborative, stimulating and accessible workspace, an essential creative environment adapted to the needs of its members.

Values

Openness

At PRIM, we are committed to welcoming our members’ projects with flexibility and curiosity. Artists, collaborators and partners from all backgrounds and disciplines are welcome. We believe that it is important to learn from each other’s experiences and to be open to their different realities, approaches and working methods, while having fun.

Engagement

We are passionate about the work of our members, collaborators and partners and we want to use our professionalism, expertise and rigor to help them throughout their creative process.

We want to play a positive role in our community, to ensure a presence and involvement in all spheres of our ecosystem.

Within the team, our employees are committed to constantly improve their work methods, to help each other and to remain united in the search for solutions.

Creativity

When it comes to meeting the needs of our members and partners, we encourage original, bold and creative solutions. Our decisions are made with a collaborative and proactive approach. In all circumstances, we think about improving and renewing our ways of doing things and our service offering.

Sharing

Passing on our knowledge and heritage is part of our organization’s DNA. We encourage exchanges, a sense of belonging and collaboration in order to enhance the expertise of the team, its members and peers. It is also important for us to bring together and involve our partners and collaborators in the life of the organization through exchange and sharing events.

History

40 years of independent creation

1981

1995

2003

2019

2021

1981

The avant-garde Véhicule Art gallery and its Vidéo Véhicule section, which split off in 1976, found PRIM, a unique video production centre focused around its creative force: the artists.

1995

PRIM sets up shop in Usine C and becomes a true media arts creation and research space where current artistic movements and new technologies converge. The centre opts for using AVID platforms, now the undisputed standard for image editing, as well as the Pro Tools 24 Mix system, a guarantee of excellence in the audio industry.

2003

PRIM moves to Rue Fullum to provide infrastructures that fully meet the needs of independent creators. The PRIM team adapts its facilities to make the shift to high-definition.

2019

Funded by the Ville de Montréal, the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec and Canadian Heritage, the centre’s refurbishment and expansion project comes together. The space at 2180 Rue Fullum is completely redesigned by Saucier + Perrotte Architectes. Over 3,500 square feet of space dedicated to independent creation and training are added. The project’s cornerstone: a Dolby Atmos sound mixing studio.

2021

PRIM celebrates its 40th anniversary by opening a centre tailor-made for independent creation, research and experimentation, cementing its role as a pillar of the Montreal arts community while ushering in a new era for the avant-garde creation space.