Former Radio-Canada director Josée Bellemare takes on Gatineau arts department

Gatineau has named Josée Bellemare as the new director of its arts, culture, and literature department – Services des arts, de la culture, et des lettres. Replacing Arash Mohtashami-Maali, who served as director since September 2017, Bellemare is expected to lead the department for at least the next two years. According to a press release issued by the city on May 12, Bellemare has over 20 years of professional experience in arts, culture, and media. Until last spring, she served as director of Radio-Canada’s music radio station ICI Musique. Before that, Bellemare worked on a number of shows including Une heure sur Terre and Le Téléjournal, working for the station’s information department.

Passionate about innovation in museums, the social effects of art and culture, Bellemare is currently a museology consultant and researcher at the Université du Québec à Montréal’s Research Chair on Museum Governance and the Right to culture. Along with being proficient at content creating and programming, Bellemare also has expertise in financial and human resources management. “Her knowledge, particularly in digital, her leadership, and her passion for culture will be valuable assets for the city of Gatineau,” the city said in the press release.

Known for its numerous community initiatives in various show venues, libraries, and events’ offices, the arts, culture, and literature department is dedicated to benefiting Gatineau’s cultural animation and heritage development, and encouraging cultural communities to get involved in municipal activities.