With an impressive array of prestigious institutions active in all the arts, Montreal has established itself both locally and worldwide as a leading cultural center.

Museums
Montreal has a vast network of museums, art galleries and exhibition centers, including the world-renowned Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d'art contemporain, the Canadian Center for Architecture (CCA), the McCord Museum and the Saidye Bronfman Center.

The region is also home to a number of science museums. Many of them are located in the Olympic Park complex, including the Montreal Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Botanical Garden and the Planetarium. The Laval Cosmodôme houses both the Space Camp and the Space Science Center.

Theater
In addition to the National Theater School of Canada, many theater troupes and companies make their home in Montreal, such as the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, the Théâtre du Rideau Vert, the Compagnie Jean Duceppe, the Théâtre de Quat'sous and Espace Go. With performances ranging from the classics of the repertoire to the resolutely avant-garde, the Montreal theater scene caters to all tastes.

During the summer season, many performers take part in a variety of summer theater festivals in the picturesque backdrop of the luscious Quebec countryside.

Music
Music lovers couldn't ask for more in Montreal. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has built a reputation as one of the world's foremost orchestras through its prestigious concert tours and first-rate recordings. The Opéra de Montréal is famous for its interpretations of the best-loved masterpieces from the operatic repertoire. And for a more intimate musical experience, lovers of classical music have the choice from an array of concerts year round by top-notch orchestras, such as the Orchestre de Musique Baroque and the Orchestre métropolitain.

The downtown area comes alive in summertime as Montrealers and visitors alike take to the streets for a variety of musical events, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the FrancoFolies. And just a short drive from Montreal, the Festival international de Lanaudière, a prestigious classical musical festival, takes place under the warm summer skies of the magnificent Lanaudière region.

Dance
The Montreal area is a true hub for innovation in contemporary and classical dance. Internationally recognized companies, such as the Grands Ballets canadiens, rub shoulders with avant-garde dance troupes the likes of La La La Human Steps, O Vertigo, the Margie Gillis Dance Company and the Fondation Jean-Pierre Perreault.

Cinema
Montreal boasts several major film festivals, such as the Montreal World Film Festival, the International Festival of Films on Art, the International Festival of New Cinema and New Media, the Festival du cinéma africain et créole and the Festival du film scientifique.

Cinema buffs can also take advantage of several cinema complexes that feature original productions from here and abroad. Repertory cinema and art films take center stage at the Cinémathèque québécoise and the Complexe Ex-Centris. Montreal is also the headquarters of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).