Conseil des arts de Montréal 2025

CONSEIL DES ARTS DE MONTRÉAL

February 25, 2015

Eight Arts Organizations Finalists  were announced for the 39th Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal. 

The 39th Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal Ceremony to be Hosted by Édith Cochrane on April 17, 2025, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Reinventing the way we see the world. Providing beauty, novelty and surprising audiences. 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, the 8 finalists were announced.

HERE ARE 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.

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.