Throughout its 25 years of existence, the Quebec Association of Illustrators' mandate - to regroup and help illustrators, to promote and broadcast illustration - incessantly materialized itself by its catalogue, network evenings, standard contracts, author rights information, conferences, website and its gallery. Today, the AIIQ counts more than 300 members.

Here is how the Quebec Association of Illustrators came to be and what the major milestones which marked its history were:

It is during the vernissage for the exhibition of the first Children's Books Illustrations competition in Quebec, organized by Communication Jeunesse, that the founding members met for the first time. They realized that they were a great number who shared the injustices and the generosities of the publishing milieu. The thought of uniting would take form during a meeting in a cafe; a dozen illustrators gathered together and shared the wish of creating an association.

Why an association ? To promote illustrations in the media, to group together all kinds of illustrators, French speaking as well as English speaking, and to encourage communications between them. The association wishes to be non-selective at the root and wants to encourage quality productions, in order to move the illustrator out of his isolation and to offer him a variety of services and information which render him more accessible and more effective. It was in 1982 that the association really started to offer services. Membership costs were $60. The services offered were : a committee to write the charter, the index committee ( list of illustrators ), a central file ( containing resource persons useful to the illustrators), a bank of photos ( slides and cvs of the members ), a rates committee, information ( on events, conferences, competitions, etc. ) and international exchanges.

During that year :

• Communication Jeunesse dedicated a part of their stand at the Montreal Book Exhibition to Quebec Illustrators of Children's books.
• During the Graphisme Québec competition (organized by the Société des graphistes du Québec), several members are selected (J-Christian Knaff, Madeleine Eykel, Philippe Béha, Michèle Lemieux).
• Philippe Béha visits the Children's Books Exhibition in Mexico.
• Meeting with the Association of Illustrators of San Francisco.
• Establishment of the Notice Board Committee, which has the task of distributing information on the various competitions throughout the world.
• First contact with the Société des graphistes du Québec.

• First president (1983-1985): Suzanne Duranceau
• A Chinese auction is held at the Café Campus to finance the annual general meeting.
• The AIIQ becomes a corporate member of the Société des graphistes du Québec.
• A Grant Committee and a Newspaper Committee are set up.
• The first annual general meeting is held on June 3rd at the Design building of UQAM.
• The AIIQ asks publishers to send them a free copy of all published work that uses illustrations, so that the AIIQ can create a library of Quebec productions.
• Receipt of a project grant for Expo-Milan from the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs.
• The corporate member category is added.
• First participation in the Montreal Book Exhibition, where post cards are distributed which contain the personal information of the illustrator and the mention that he is a member of the AIIQ.
• Opening of an AIIQ office on the premises of Communication Jeunesse, open between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and staffed by volunteers.
• The first logo of the AIIQ is chosen.

• Festive AIIQ evening in January at Mireille Levert's.
• The first portfolio evening takes place at Stéphan Daigle's.
• Auction exhibition at the Maison de la culture Côte-des-Neiges.
• Receipt of a $16000 operating grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
• The exhibition L'illustration contemporaine québécoise (members and non-members) is held at the Central Library of Quebec.

• The Association is charged by the Ministry of Cultural affairs and the Ministry of Revenue to set up the typical profile of the illustrator.
• The idea of the survival kit is born : standard contract form, code of ethics, list of rates, list of members.
• Portfolio evenings are held every first Friday of the month.
• Auction to obtain financing for us at the Palais des Encans.

• Second president (1986-1988) : Mireille Levert
• First heading of the survival kit is created (standard contract form and copyrights).

• Production of the 1st Illustration Québec repertoire, the cover page is illustrated by Philippe Brochard. It will be sent to a contact list of clients supplied by the members.
• The 1st Salon de l'Illustration is held at Complexe Desjardins.

• Third president (1988): Luc Normandin
• The Repertoire is launched on the evening of the vernissage at the Montreal Book Exhibition.
• The CAPIC (Canadian Association Photograph Illustrators) contacts the AIIQ to establish closer ties.
• The Association takes position on the question of the Bill C-60 (regarding copyrights).
• Bill 78 on the status of the artist becomes law. It recognizes and includes illustrators thanks to the memorandum presented at the parliamentary commission by Thierry Sauer.
• The second Salon de l'illustration is held at Complexe Desjardins.

• Fouth president (1989): Marie Lafrance
• Five visual arts associations group together in order to deal with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The fundamental proposal is that these five associations unite to share the secretarial services and the premises. This is the beginning of RAAV.
• First permanent employee hiring.
• Receipt of an operating grant of $23150 as well as $3000 for creating a standard contract and $7000 for the creation of the code of ethics.
• The third Salon de l'illustration is held at Complexe Desjardins.
• Redaction and publication of the second heading of the survival kit (concerning pricing guide).
• Production of the Repertoire. At this time it receives the format that it will retain until 2005. The cover page is illustrated by Martin Côté.

• Fifth president (1990): Stéphan Daigle
• The fourth Salon de l'illustration is held at Complexe Desjardins.
• Closer ties are established with CAPIC Montréal.
• Production of the Repertoire. The cover page is illustrated by Diane O'bomsawin.

• Sixth president (1991): Francis Back
• The fifth Salon de l'Illustration is held at the Centre for Design of UQAM.
• The standard contract is born.
• The sponsorship service is put into place.
• The AIIQ moves to St-Joseph East, where it will stay until 2004.
• Production of the Repertoire. The cover page is illustrated by Pierre Pratt.

• Seventh president (1992): Simon Labelle
• A Quebec city chapter of the AIIQ is created and is called AIIQ-Québec.
• Our first General Manager, Nathalie Nassif, is hired.
• The Bulletin is renamed Croquis.
• Sixth edition of the Salon de l'Illustration.
• The portfolio evenings continue.
• Production of the Repertoire. The cover page is illustrated by Geneviève Côté.

• Eight president (1993-1995): Genviève Côté
• A first Repertoire for AIIQ-Quebec is produced. This Repertoire contains 20 pages and is distributed exclusively in the National Capital Region.
• Introduction of advice evenings to help undecided members to choose their promotional illustration in the Repertoire.
• The seventh Salon de l'Illustration is held at the Centre for Design at UQAM.
• Modification of the charter.
• Benefit evening to help the AIIQ, which is experiencing financial difficulties.
• Production of Repertoire 6, cover page illustrated by J.W. Stewart.

• The financial difficulties continue.
• Production of Repertoire 7, cover page illustrated by Michèle Lemieux.
• Eighth Salon de l'Illustration.

• Ninth president (1995): Stéphane J. Bourelle
• The AIIQ-Quebec chapter is closed.
• Ninth Salon de l'illustration.
• Production of Repertoire 8, cover page illustrated by Alain Massicotte.
• The AIIQ reposition itself as an association offering services.
• The AIIQ dissociates itself from the RAAV to whom we grant the global file of the copyrights issue.

• Tenth, eleventh and twelfth presidents (1996): Jean Soulard, Luc Melanson and (1996- 1998) Jules Prud'homme.
• The CALQ creates a committee called Groupe conseil pour évaluer les conseils disciplinaires. It is possible that it may loses its grants.
• Tenth Salon de l'Illustration.
• The portfolio evenings continue.
• Production of repertoire 9, cover page illustrated by Gérard Dubois.

• Meeting with the RAAV in order to discuss the future of the AIIQ and the vision of the RAAV.
• A secretary is hired 2 days a week to assist Nathalie Nassif, the general manager.
• Participation at the Bologna Fair.
• Eleventh Salon de l'Illustration which takes place in Quebec city this time.
• The portfolio evenings continue.
• Production of Repertoire 10, cover page illusttrated by Mireille Levert.
• Nathalie Nassif leaves and is replaced by Céline Mayrand.

• Creation of a new logo for the AIIQ by Pol Turgeon.
• Our first internet site is installed.
• Creation of the first Biennale de l'Illustration which replaces the Salon de l'Illustration and takes place at the Marché Bonsecours.
• The AIIQ celebrates 15 years of existence!
• Production of Repertoire 11, cover page illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.

• Thirteenth president (1999-2000): Alain Masicotte
• The AIIQ travels. The exhibition to the ILLUSTRATORI QUEBECCHESI IN SCENA takes place in Rome for the Orrizonte Québec event at the Teatro Valle.
• Isabelle Drouin is hired as coordinator and replaces Céline Mayrand. Abolition of the position of General Manager.
• Production of Repertoire 12, cover page illustrated by Alain Pilon.

• The portfolio evenings continue.
• The Grafika evening is launched.
• Production of Repertoire 13, cover page illustrated by Pol Turgeon.

• Fourteenth president (2000-2001): Israël Charney
• Second Biennale de l'Illustration, at the Maison de la culture Frontenac.
• Production of Repertoire 14, cover page illustrated by Heidi Taillefer.

• The Repertoire has now been produced for 15 years! We celebrate by producing a special edition with four cover pages. We invite Normand Cousineau, Luc Melançon, Michle Rabagliati and Alain Reno to each illustrate one of the four cover pages.

• Fifteenth president (2003): Alain Pilon
• Third Biennale de l'Illustration, at the Maison de la Culture Frontenac.
• Isabelle Drouin leaves and Élisabeth Pelletier takes her place.
• Production of Repertoire 16, cover page illustrated by Philippe Beha.

• Sixteenth president (2004-2005): Yvon Roy
• Launching of a new internet site and creation of a resource intranet, as well as a discussion forum.
• First edition of Orgie d'originaux, the sales-exhibit of illustrations.
• Production of Repertoire 17, cover page illustrated by Bruce Roberts.
• The AIIQ moves downtown! We are now located in the Belgo Building, two steps from the Place des Arts metro station.

• Second edition of Orgie d'Originaux, the sales-exhibit of illustrations.
• Production of Repertoire 18, cover page illustrated by Christiane Beauregard.

• Seventeenth president (2006-2007) : Anne Villeneuve
• Third edition of Orgie d'Originaux, the sales-exhibit of illustrations.
• Production of Repertoire 19, cover page illustrated by Steve Adams. Modification of the format of the Repertoire and of the graphic lay-out.
• Launching of Illustration Thursdays, a series conference presented by an illustrator once a month on the AIIQ premises.
• Beginning of live model Tuesdays at the AIIQ.

• Eighteenth president (2007-2008): Jacques Laplante
• Publication of a study on the illustration milieu and market. It was carried out by AIIQ thanks to financial support from the Canadian Magazine Fund.
• Launching of an all new portfolio Web site for the members and clients. Clients can find search tools there and illustrators are given the possibility of updating their portfolio themselves.
• The Illustration Thursdays become the Illustration Wednesdays and they continue.
• The live model Tuesdays work well and they continue.
• After several years with a single person at its helm, the AIIQ hires Nicolas Trost, assistant to the general manager.
• The Repertoire celebrates its 20th anniversary ! Cover page illustrated by Virginie Egger. To underline the event, an exhibition which traces the last 20 years through the cover pages of the Repertoire is set up.
• Fourth sales-exhibit Orgie d'Originaux of illustrations.
• Birth of L'!llustre Galerie, the exhibition hall of the AIIQ

• Nineteenth president (2008-...): Louis-Philippe Saint-Laurent
• Organization of the Ooh Là Là Illustration Show, a Portfolio evening in Toronto THE AIIQ celebrates its 25 years! To underline the event, we organize a quite special Portfolios evening at the Bain Mathieu and the Repertoire 21 of the AIIQ is launched during that wonderful evening. The evening is a big success; it attracts more than 450 persons...
• Launch of the new logo of the AIIQ, created by Steve Adams, during the twenty-fifth anniversary evening.
• IQ magazine is born and three numbers appear.
• L'!llustre Gallery accommodates 12 exhibitions as well as one book launch.
• Opening of L!llustre Boutique, special sales area for the members.
• Continuation of the live model Tuesdays.
• Participation to the thirty-first Salon du livre de Montréal.
• The fifth edition of the sale-exhibit Orgie d'Illustration takes place.
• With the aim of remaining dynamic and answering the demands of the market and the illustrators, the AIIQ decides to replace the Repertoire by a new printed tool which will be born in 2009.

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