International performing arts event for young audiences

The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM), and the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) have launched this initiative to establish a recurring international event in the Montréal performing arts community that engages young audiences.

Non-profit arts organizations interested in developing and presenting an international performing arts event for young audiences on the Island of Montreal are invited to submit an application.

CALQ, CAM and PCH have adopted an exceptional joint approach to the application and analysis process. In conjunction with its partners, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec will ensure follow-up.

Who is this program for?

This unique initiative is open to organizations eligible for CALQ, CAM and PCH funding and is governed by the current respective terms and conditions at the three granting agencies. 

Group projects that focus on sharing resources are eligible. For group projects, only one member can represent the group and will be responsible both for the request and related responsibilities. 

Exceptionally, an organization already receiving financial support under one of the CALQ, CAM and/or PCH programs may also submit an application for this registration, even if this support covers all or part of the years involved in preparing and staging the event.

The combined production experience of individuals applying with a new project can be substituted for the required minimum of one year of production experience.

For more information, please refer to the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec website.

What are the program’s objectives?

This program aims to provide Montréal with a recurring international event that fosters youth engagement in the performing arts sector and aims to reach young audiences.

What type of assistance is provided?

Financial assistance from grantors is complementary to other sources of income like ticket sales.

What are the general conditions for eligibility?

Terms and Conditions

This unique initiative is open to organizations eligible for funding from the CALQ, the CAM, and PCH. 

Program eligibility requirements for these three organizations can be found at the following sites:

Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec

Specific programming support

Conseil des arts de Montréal

General Funding Program for Arts Organizations (project or operational assistance)

Two-year and four-year operating grants

Project assistance for organizations

Department of Canadian Heritage

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Programming Support: Arts festivals and seasonal broadcasters of professional performances

The combined production experience of individuals applying with a new project can be substituted for the required minimum of one year of production experience.

Are there any special eligibility criteria?

The event can be presented on an annual or biennial basis, and the first edition must take place no later than June 30, 2026.

The event must have a strong artistic vision reflected in high-quality programming that accommodates Montréal, Québec, and Canadian productions while giving a voice to our various communities, especially Indigenous ones.

It should allow Quebec artists and organizations working for young audiences to increase their national and international visibility.

The event should foster thought-provoking exchange between various stakeholders in the youth sector.

The organization must implement outreach activities and growth strategies that draw diverse audiences.

The organization must collaborate with and support youth to ensure that the event builds community.

How do I submit an application?

Organizations must send their application via WeTransfer to the attention of Marie-Ève Vézina (marie-eve.vezina@calq.gouv.qc.ca).

For further details, please refer to the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec website.

How are applications evaluated?

A Project Review Committee will be established with key grantors. A peer advisory committee of individuals with extensive event organization experience and an in-depth understanding of young audiences will also be put in place. The members of this committee will be selected by the CALQ, the CAM and PCH, in accordance with the CALQ’s Policy governing juries, committees and assessors and the CAM’s Code of Ethics.

The Advisory Committee will evaluate proposals based on evaluation criteria and make recommendations to the Review Committee.

Only one organization will be selected for this exceptional registration. If none of the applications meet the objectives of this registration, the funders reserve the right not to retain any of the applications submitted.

The selection of an applicant at the end of this process does not constitute a funding commitment on the part of PCH. The selected organization must also submit a formal application to the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. This application will be evaluated in light of the program’s criteria.

What are the evaluation criteria?

Quality, interest and relevance 50%

• The clarity and relevance of the mandate, artistic priorities and positioning within the community
• The quality and diversity of artistic activities and proposals
• The quality of reception and support given to artists and organizations
• The interest and relevance of mediation activities, if applicable

Impact and outreach 30%

• Contributes to the long-term development of the youth sector
• Contributes to the development of one or more disciplines
• Improves outreach to territories and communities
• Improves representativeness and inclusion through programming, within the team and in the community
• Relevance of strategies to reach, retain, develop and renew audiences
• Coherence between communication, marketing, promotion and publicity initiatives and objectives
• Relevance of partnership strategies to strengthen ties between the arts and communities

Management and feasibility 20%

• Realistic proposed budget and financial stability
• Diverse partnerships and revenue sources
• Realistic action plan and timeline
• Fair compensation for artists and cultural workers
• Support from partners in project creation, when required
• Ability to complete projects (relevance of resources and expertise, such as board of directors, staff, etc.)

What is the response time?

The CALQ, the CAM, and PCH will communicate their decision no later than the week of December 4, 2023.

How will the grant be paid?

The Conseil des arts de Montréal’s grant is paid annually, in two instalments:

First instalment
Year 1: 90%, after the Conseil sends the decision letter
Year 2: 90%, on the Year 1 instalment anniversary date

Second instalment
Year 1 and Year 2: Following the Conseil’s receipt and acceptance of the final report for the organization’s last full fiscal year and its financial statements signed by two Board of Directors members

Commitments

For the organization, accepting payment of the grant constitutes an undertaking to complete the activities covered by the grant and to comply with the accompanying requirements, which will be communicated upon approval of the application.

The organization agrees to:

• Carry out its activities as planned
• Notify the Conseil of any major changes to its mandate, management leadership or activities
• Submit the required activity and financial reports within four months of the end of its fiscal year
• Meet certain special requirements regarding use of the grant, if applicable
• Publicly acknowledge the Conseil des arts de Montréal’s contribution by reproducing the Conseil’s logo in its programs, brochures, flyers and other promotional materials (see the Visibility section, below)
• If desired, include in the final report photographs, videos or any other relevant, royalty-free visuals that the Conseil may use for promotional or archival purposes
• In addition, the organization undertakes not to contact members of the evaluation committees or the Conseil’s Board of Directors at any time regarding the management or evaluation of its application or regarding decisions related to its application. Only Conseil staff are authorized to answer questions.

The Conseil’s financial commitment may be suspended or modified if:

• An organization ceases its activities
• A change not approved by the Conseil is made to the organization’s artistic direction, artistic mandate or activities
• The organization’s activities or progress are deemed to be unsatisfactory upon receipt of the final reports
• An organization operating at a loss accumulates a deficit equal to 10% or more of its total revenue