Red and golden leaves flutter as the cool breeze heralds the arrival of fall and Montreal’s cultural life starts to get back to normal.
Despite the difficulties that go hand in hand with the ongoing health crisis, there is cause for celebration: we can go to events again! What a relief to finally be able to savour the shows and exhibitions we missed so much! And what about the artists who can now connect with audiences in full venues once again?
If I had to describe this in one word, the first thing that comes to mind is heartwarming. The Les arts toujours au cœur des citoyen-ne-s survey revealed that 93% of Montrealers value artists’ contributions to the city, 90% believe that professional artists add value to society and 81% believe that the arts improve their quality of life. These statistics touch us very deeply.
Emotions were also running high at our annual partners’ meeting, where we paid tribute to the invaluable legacy of Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski, who was our president for the past eight years. He delivered a moving and tender speech (in French Only). The meeting was also an opportunity for our new president Ben Marc Diendéré to share his vision and love of the arts in a speech that inspired and united us. Ben Marc’s appointment is another reason to celebrate!
In addition to continuing the work begun by our outgoing president, the Conseil will begin drafting its next strategic plan. Our major projects include strengthening the city’s creative core, sustainable development, philanthropy and, of course, diversity and inclusion, as a brand-new inclusive governance partnership has just been signed with Concertation Montréal. All things considered, an impressive list that fulfilled all our expectations!
Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director
