The D. R. Sobey Foundation donates $1 million to the MMFA

The MMFA Foundation is pleased to announce a major donation of $1,000,000 from the D. R. Sobey Foundation. This gift will go toward supporting the organization and tour of this fall’s flagship exhibition, Kent Monkman: History Is Painted by the Victors.

This major exhibition is organized by the MMFA in collaboration with the Denver Art Museum and curated by Léuli Eshrāghi, Curator of Indigenous Practices at the MMFA, and John Lukavic, the Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Native Arts at the Denver Art Museum. It invites the public to discover iconic and monumental paintings by world-renowned Canadian artist Kent Monkman, a member of ocêkwi sîpiy (Fisher River Cree Nation). First presented in Denver in the summer of 2025, this exhibition begins its Montreal run on September 27, 2025. Through his subversive lens, Monkman revisits history painting to challenge colonial narratives and offer new perspectives on the past and our present. His works explore wide-ranging themes such as the climate crisis and environmental protection, the historical impact of government policies on First Nations, Métis and Inuit, intergenerational traumas, and the affirmation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous communities.

“This is a crucial exhibition that offers a deeper understanding of contemporary realities through narratives and assertions that challenge not only the arts sector but also society as a whole,” declares Léuli Eshrāghi, Curator of Indigenous Practices at the MMFA and co-curator of the exhibition. “The Museum is thrilled to bring a new perspective on Kent Monkman’s work, whose reputation across Canada is firmly established. Without the D.R. Sobey Foundation’s philanthropic vision, this major project would not have been realized as this beautiful experience.”

“We are proud to support the MMFA, a great Canadian institution, in making this exhibition accessible to audiences from across the country,” says Rob Sobey of the D.R. Sobey Foundation. “This exhibition promises to be a resounding success. Kent Monkman is without a doubt one of the most important artists of his generation, and we are delighted to play a role in showcasing his work in Canada and the United States and highlighting the important perspectives it represents.”

“I’m confident that the exhibition History Is Painted by the Victors will find its way into the hearts and minds of our audience,” adds Stéphane Aquin, Director of the MMFA. “I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to Rob Sobey and the D. R. Sobey Foundation for their confidence in our Museum and their support for this major project.”

This donation is part of the MMFA Foundation’s major fundraising campaign for 2023–2028, whose theme is The Museum Transforms Lives.

“We are extremely grateful to the D. R. Sobey Foundation and the Sobey family of esteemed Canadian philanthropists for believing in the importance of this exhibition,” concludes Jo-Anne Duchesne, Director General of the MMFA Foundation. “This donation represents the continuation of a precious philanthropic relationship, and we hope it will be a source of inspiration for the entire community. Supporting the MMFA and its programming is much more than a simple act of generosity; it propels your Museum onto the national and international stage while giving Montreal, Quebec and Canada an opportunity to shine.”