Fondation PHI pour l’art contemporain is a nonprofit contemporary art space in Old Montréal, set inside two restored 19th-century buildings at 451 and 465 Rue Saint-Jean. Founded in 2007 by Phoebe Greenberg as DHC/ART and renamed in 2019, it draws art lovers for ambitious international exhibitions shown in the cobbled heart of the city’s oldest district.
Inside, original stone walls, timber beams and narrow staircases frame large-scale installations, video and sculpture. The foundation has hosted major artists, including Louise Bourgeois and Yoko Ono, whose 2019 exhibition LIBERTÉ CONQUÉRANTE / GROWING FREEDOM invited visitors to add their own contributions. Galleries stay intimate, so you move from room to room with space to linger. Exhibitions come with talks, screenings and an education program that includes guided visits for school groups. The foundation now operates under the wider PHI organization, which also lists 407 Rue Saint-Pierre among its addresses (source: [PHI](https://phi.ca/en/)).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Hours are Wednesday to Friday from 12 pm to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. The galleries are closed Monday and Tuesday (source: [Artforum](https://artguide.artforum.com/venue/phi-foundation-for-contemporary-art-1800/)). Admission has traditionally been free, but check phi.ca for current exhibitions and any timed reservations. Weekday evenings are the quietest time to visit. Weekend afternoons fill up, especially during summer tourist season. Take the Metro to Place-d’Armes or Square-Victoria–OACI. From there, it’s a short walk to the foundation, and you can pair your visit with Notre-Dame Basilica nearby.
