Montreal, February 25, 2025 – Cultivating the unexpected. Reinventing the way we see the world. Providing beauty and novelty. And surprising audiences, again and again. Whether lesser known or well established, emerging talents and organizations rooted in tradition deserve to be warmly applauded for their contributions to the Montréal arts scene. At noon on April 17, 2025, we will celebrate the drive and passion of the eight finalists for the 39th Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
Incomparable actress and television presenter Édith Cochrane will bring her trademark joie de vivre and sparkling humour to this celebration of the arts as our host. Her irresistible charisma is sure to delight the 800 guests on hand for the live unveiling of the 39th Grand Prix winner!
Artists, cultural workers, municipal officials and members of the business community will be in attendance at this flagship CAM event, which has been honouring the outstanding contributions of Montréal arts organizations since 1985. Tickets and tables are on sale now.
Congratulations to the eight finalists nominated for 2024: Bouge de là, écH2osystème: du fleuve à la scène, Fanfare Pourpour, Festival international de la littérature (FIL), Phénomena Festival, McCord Stewart Museum, Théâtre Desjardins (LaSalle) and Théâtre Prospero. Visit our Grand Prix website to see how they have all brought some magic into our lives through their art.
“It is the dedication of its artists that keeps the city moving forward. They reinterpret our constantly changing day-to-day lives to show us sides that are anything but ordinary. Through their works, our 2024 finalists have managed to transform our urban environment into spaces of discovery and reflection. Their ability to capture the essence of our times and sublimate it through art is a source of hope and inspiration. They remind us that art is a powerful force for change and renewal.” — Nathalie Maillé, CAM Executive Director
VOTE FOR THE PRIX DU PUBLIC TÉLÉ-QUÉBEC
Take a look at our eight finalists’ achievements and vote for the project closest to your heart! The organization or artist with the most votes will receive Télé-Québec’s people’s choice award along with a $10,000 prize. With every vote, you’ll be automatically entered in a draw for a $500 voucher good for cultural offerings from over 725 Montréal arts organizations.
What’s your favourite project? Vote now!
$90,000 IN CASH PRIZES TO BE AWARDED AT THE GRAND PRIX
The prestigious Grand Prix award comes with a $30,000 cash prize and an original work of art created for the winning artist or organization. Two other awards will be presented at the April 17 ceremony: the Prix du jury, presented by the Desjardins Caisse de la Culture, and the Prix du public Télé-Québec, each of which comes with a $10,000 prize. Generous patrons of the arts will also provide each finalist with an additional $5,000 reward.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EIGHT FINALISTS FOR THE 39th GRAND PRIX
Bouge de là
For the past 25 years, Bouge de là has successfully pulled off a bold gamble: focusing on dance for young people. Exceptional choreography, a sense of play and cross-disciplinary performances had the eyes of 24,500 children sparkling in 2024. In residence at the Maison culturelle et communautaire de Montréal-Nord, the company brings the benefits of dance right to the community.
écH2osystème : du fleuve à la scène
The colossal socio-ecological documentary–circus spectacle ecH2osystème: du fleuve à la scène first made land in Pointe-aux-Trembles, in 2024. Creator Geneviève Dupéré interweaves 300 branches of scientific, maritime, fishing and port-operations expertise and knowledge in a circus arts spectacle staged on a one-of-a-kind acrobatic apparatus, suspended from a crane high above the St. Lawrence River.
Fanfare Pourpour
A worthy heir to festive avant-garde bands, Fanfare Pourpour delights Montrealers at indoor venues and parks all across the island. In 2024, during a summer of exceptional performances, Un air de fanfare, un pas de deux, created with the Schmutt sisters, won over audiences’ hearts everywhere from Pierrefonds to Anjou and from Lachine to Rosemont.
Festival international de la littérature (FIL)
At the FIL, literature has been claiming the title of “living art” for 30 years—three decades of tireless work from Michelle Corbeil, the woman of letters who wears a thousand hats. The 2024 edition of the FIL attracted the best of the national and international literary scene and offered opportunities to meet with 121 established and emerging writers at 78 different events.
Phénomena Festival
The daring and iconic Phénomena Festival celebrates unconventional performances that play to packed houses. From a punk opera to Cabaret Dada Forever, from the Phénoménale parade to the contributions of the LGBTQ2SIA+ and deaf artistic communities, the event showcases new voices and leading artists alike with its inclusive, experimental lineup.
McCord Stewart Museum
As the keeper of Montreal’s memories, the McCord Stewart Museum captures the city’s creativity and rich diversity with its fresh new curatorial direction. Wampum: Beads of Diplomacy marked a high point in Indigenous representation. At the same time, artists in residence reappropriated raw material from the Museum’s collections to create an essential dialogue between past and present.
Théâtre Desjardins (LaSalle)
Backed by a seasoned team, Théâtre Desjardins is flourishing as a major arts presenter across southwest Montréal. Its artistic vision alternates between familiar crowd-pleasers and new-found offerings, highlighting up-and-coming artists and delighting audiences. In 2024, it brought spectators an all-women series and a new festival of emerging circus arts.
Théâtre Prospero
With a new management duo at the helm, Théâtre Prospero is stirring the pot, galvanizing the theatrical community and its audiences. True to its open and transformative leadership style, it welcomes emerging artists and artists from under-represented communities, dares to offer flexible pricing and is reaping the rewards of record audience numbers. Its 2024 program was packed with popular, high-profile shows and events.
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AND PATRONS
The Conseil extends its warmest thanks to its major partners, whose remarkable support is essential to recognizing the finalists and winning organizations of the 39th Grand Prix: Télé-Québec, Caisse de la Culture and La Presse, as well as its creative partner, Leeroy.
A huge thank-you also goes to our patrons and donors for their donations, which help support the finalists and the artistic performances presented as part of the 39th Grand Prix: Power Corporation of Canada, Bell, Tourisme Montréal and YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport as well as our arts partners: Business Development Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, Conseil des relations internationales de Montréal (CORIM), Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Azrieli Foundation, McCarthy Tétrault, Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) and Télé-Québec.
-30-
MEDIA RELATIONS
Rosemonde Communications
Rosemonde Gingras
514 458-8355
rosemonde@rosemondecommunications.com
SOURCE
Marie-Julie Théoret
Communication and Promotion Manager
Conseil des arts de Montréal
marie-julie.theoret@montreal.ca
