Puppetry is an ancestral art that continues to shape the evolution of contemporary artistic movements; the puppet honours matter and life, transposes reality, embodies dreams and calls for a thoughtful, imaginative, better world.

Puppetry is a mature art that flourishes in many connected fields such as theatre, film, television and digital arts. The AQM and Québec artists in the field are calling for the recognition of puppetry as a major art form and wish to raise awareness about the particular requirements of their profession.

For several years now, the Association québécoise des marionnettistes has been producing a magazine (Marionnettes) as well as a wide range of documentation. These publications present a portrait of puppetry creation in Québec, report on the various events that have marked its history, and bear witness to the realities, challenges and dynamism of puppetry in Québec.

_{Ballad of the Wild Horses, Théâre de l’Oeil © Michel Pinault}

_{AQM Workshop, ©Cloé Ratio}

For several years now, the AQM has been developing a professional development program with the financial support of Emploi-Québec, and sometimes in collaboration with local organizations. This program addresses a persistent request from Québec puppeteers seeking opportunities to perfect their craft. Past subjects for training have included puppeteering, puppet making, dramaturgy, video production, sound design, object theatre, shadow theatre, and many other related disciplines.

AQM organizes various activities aimed at expanding the reach of the discipline and multiplying encounters between professionals :  symposia, thematic meetings and roundtables, interviews and masterclasses with foreign puppeteers on tour in Québec. In addition, AQM has created a program of talks delving into precise topics, the Popular University of Puppetry Arts (Université populaire des arts de la marionnettes – UPAM), of which several sessions are held every year.

_{Networking meeting, Casteliers 2020, ©Christian Brault}

The AQM works to ensure the presence of puppetry arts at the heart of the cultural life in Québec and beyond. It sits on the board of directors of the Conseil québécois du théâtre (CQT) as well as on its professional development committee.

Through delegates appointed to various boards of directors, the AQM carries out important advocacy work in Québec.

Within organizations such as the Conseil québécois du théâtre, Compétence Culture, and Quebec Drama Federation, it also participates in the major current debates on contemporary theatre making and contributes its members’ vision to these important discussions.

At the Canadian and international levels, AQM sits on the Board of Directors of UNIMA-Canada as a representative of UNIMA-Canada, Québec Chapter. Two of the three national councillors representing UNIMA-Canada at the various international meetings of UNIMA International come from the Québec chapter. Additionally, AQM members sit on 6 of the 16 Commissions of UNIMA International.

The AQM also holds several networking events every year, including the International Casteliers Professional Networking Meeting, which brings together national and international programmers invited to Casteliers Festival and the AQM’s professional members. This event has taken place during the festival, in March, for the past ten years.

Also, in collaboration with the Festival international des arts de la marionnette à Saguenay (FIAMS), every two years, the AQM organizes an Express Artist Showcase followed by a networking cocktail : a fantastic opportunity for puppeteers and festival delegates from around the world to come together in a relaxed atmosphere.

_{Festival Mondial des Théâtre de Marionnettes, ©Patrick Agirakis}