The moment we have been eagerly awaiting has now become a reality: the Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal is back on course for its 36th edition, which will take place entirely in person at the Palais des congrès on April 14, 2022, at noon.
Since 1985, the Conseil’s signature event has recognized organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Montréal’s artistic vitality. Following a short hiatus with the special edition of Our Essencial Artists, the Grand Prix returns to its essence to celebrate the artistic contributions that marked 2021 in Montréal.
At the helm: the stellar host, comedian and actor Marc Labrèche who will certainly bring humour and energy to this grand celebration.
Now that Montréal is beginning to recover, we invite you to join the arts community and its allies in the business and municipal sectors to pay tribute, in solidarity, to the entire arts community that enriches life in Montréal and sets us apart.
One of the most prestigious awards for our local creative talent
The Grand Prix includes a $30,000 grant and an original work of art specially created for the winning organization. Since 2018, the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture has also offered a Jury Prize with a $10,000 bursary. The Prix du public (Audience Award), valued at $10,000, is also presented by Télé-Québec. Each Grand Prix finalist receives a $5,000 grant through the generosity of patrons.
Congratulations to the 10 finalists: Centre d’art daphne, Danse-Cité, Festival Accès Asie, La poésie partout, Le Monastère, Les Forges de Montréal, Productions Nuits d’Afrique, Réalisatrices Équitables, Sisyphe (Lemieux Pilon 4D Art) and Violette (Joe Jack et John).
Audience Award: it’s up to you!
Vote for your favourite initiative among the finalists of the 36th Grand Prix.
By participating, you could win a $500 voucher redeemable at cultural events of the nearly 700 Montréal arts organizations supported by the Conseil.
The 10 finalists of the 36th Grand Prix
Centre d’art daphne
daphne marked visual art history in 2021 by opening the first Indigenous-determined artist-run center in Quebec. Through customary art to immersive installations, daphne creates a space of possibilities to Indigenous artists and their art practices.
Danse-Cité
A model of a proactive solidarity-based approach, Danse-Cité gives pride of place to exploration and the abundance of contemporary creation. In 2021, the company developed considerable expertise in audio description of choreographic works, inviting people with visual impairments to experience the pleasure of dance.
Festival Accès Asie
Festival Accès Asie is a multidisciplinary and engaging event that seeks to dismantle stereotypes faced by the Asian community through the arts and dialogue. From building a national platform to supporting artists living with disabilities, the festival promotes cultural exchange in Montréal.
La poésie partout
La poésie partout embodies the values of openness, diversity and audacity, democratizing poetic expression where it is least expected. This unique organization burst into people’s daily lives in 2021, allowing the voices of poets to resonate in many languages in neighbourhoods across Montréal.
Le Monastère
Le Monastère celebrates contemporary circus artists in an unconventional location—a church! With over 200 outdoor performances during the summer of 2021, it helped to broaden the local cultural offering and revitalize the downtown core while dazzling nearly 20,000 spectators.
Les Forges de Montréal
As guardian of our built and intangible heritage for over twenty years, Les Forges de Montréal pursues its mission to keep the blacksmithing tradition alive while carrying out its museum project. In so doing, it is forging a brilliant future for the promotion and transmission of ancestral techniques and know-how.
Productions Nuits d’Afrique
An incubator and springboard for culturally diverse artists, Productions Nuits d’Afrique has organized year-round activities, making it a key player in Montréal’s music scene for the past 35 years. In 2021, this major festival embarked on the digital shift, propelling local artists to the world stage.
Réalisatrices Équitables
The dedicated members of Les Réalisatrices Équitables strive for greater parity for women in the film industry while demanding that an equal voice be given to women filmmakers of Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds. They remain intent and have launched a dynamic website with statistics showing the gains achieved through their actions.
Sisyphe (Lemieux Pilon 4D Art)
Armed with his shovel 7 hours a day, multidisciplinary artist Victor Pilon presents a 30-day marathon performance. As he tirelessly moves 50 tons of sand, he only pauses to connect with his audience. A powerful and silent encounter of astonishing depth.
Violette (Joe Jack et John)
Eighteen years of innovation, exploration and inclusion. Joe Jack et John has become a major player in the Montréal theatre community. Violette explores the notion of sexual consent among people with intellectual disabilities, delivering a moving message that resonates.
Thanks to our partners and sponsors
The Conseil is very grateful to its major partners, whose generous support contributes to the recognition of the finalists and winners of the 36th Grand Prix: Télé-Québec, Caisse Desjardins de la Culture and La Presse.
A huge thank you also to our patrons for their generous donations that help support finalists and the performances showcased during the 36th Grand Prix: Power Corporation of Canada, Bell, National Theatre School of Canada, EY, The Honourable Amina Gerba, Luc Plamondon, Jean-louis Roy, Sollio Cooperative Group, TELUS, Tourisme Montréal and V Kosmetik International.
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Press Relations
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Rosemonde Gingras
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