Montréal, April 2, 2026 — In front of over 900 guests at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) awarded its 40th Grand Prix, accompanied by a cash prize increased to $40,000 and a unique work of art valued at $10,000, to the No Excuses, No Limits Movement. The Prix du jury ($10,000), offered by the Desjardins Caisse de la Culture, and the Prix du public Télé-Québec ($10,000) were both awarded to Ciné-Quartier. The eight nominated finalists each received a $5,000 prize, bringing the total amount awarded during this 40th Grand Prix to $100,000.
A tribute to the creative forces in Montréal’s artistic community
Host Édith Cochrane, with her electrifying energy, was joined by Nathalie Maillé and Mathieu Bouchard, respectively Executive Director and President of CAM, as well as over 900 distinguished guests from the cultural, business and political spheres. They included Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montréal, and Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture.
40th Grand Prix ($40,000): No Excuses, No Limits Movement
Animated by a force that liberates, uplifts and unites, the No Excuses, No Limits Movement embodies a quest for the absolute and the pursuit of excellence. Brimming with energy, generosity and infectious pride, this dance troupe proves that differences can be an exceptional driving force for choreographic creation and an inclusive space for self-affirmation.
From the Invictus Games in Vancouver to the NO LIMITS festival at Maison de la culture Maisonneuve to the Paris Olympics, this movement celebrates bodies that defy convention, reinventing and pushing the boundaries of breakdancing as each performance becomes a unique, powerful and vital space for self-expression.
Prix du jury ($10,000) and Prix du public Télé-Québec ($10,000): Ciné-Quartier
Shared cinematic moments that transform into genuine encounters: this is what Ciné-Quartier invites us to experience in neighbourhoods across Montréal.
By encouraging the discovery of French-language Québec cinema and building authentic connections between filmmakers and audiences, this one-of-a-kind organization shows how powerful culture can be a vehicle for creating social bonds. Backed by an exceptional level of commitment and a network of dedicated partners, Ciné-Quartier won the hearts of the 4,463 Prix du public Télé-Québec voters in addition to earning the Prix du Jury.
Jury and selection criteria
The jury in charge of selecting the winners of the 40th Grand Prix and Prix du jury was chaired by Mathieu Bouchard, President of the CAM and Vice President of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Deep Sky. It also included Félix-Antoine Joli-Coeur, Founder and President of Volume 10, D. Kimm, Founder and outgoing Artistic Director of Les Filles électriques and the Phénomena Festival, and winner of the 39th Grand Prix; singer-songwriter Djely Tapa; and writer Kim Thúy.
The winning artist or organization for the 40th Grand Prix was selected based on the innovation, uniqueness and authenticity of their artistic process; their desire to take action and make an impact on the community; and the originality and merit of the strategies used to reach Montréal-area audiences or engage the target community.
The jury was tasked with selecting the winning artists and organizations from among the eight finalists nominated for their artistic contributions in 2025: Agora de la danse; Artificiel.org – Eisode; Ciné-Quartier; La Messe Basse; Manuel Mathieu; Montréal, arts interculturels (MAI); the No Excuses No Limits Movement; and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Vital, valuable contributions
The Conseil extends its warmest thanks to its major partners, whose support has helped make this event a highlight of Montréal’s artistic calendar: Loto-Québec, Télé-Québec, Desjardins Caisse de la Culture and La Presse, as well as its creative partner, Leeroy.
A very big thank-you also goes to our sponsors and donors for their contributions, which help support the finalists and artistic performances presented as part of the 40th Grand Prix: Power Corporation of Canada, Bell, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Fondation Pierre Desmarais Belvédère, Tourisme Montréal and Québecor, as well as our arts partners: Business Development Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, BNP Inspire, CAE, Casacom, Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM), EY, Fasken, Azrieli Foundation, Macdonald Stewart Foundation, KPMG + Agence Substance, McCarthy Tétrault, Nukleo, Therrien Couture Joli-Coeur and WSP.
About the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM)
Founded in 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal supports artistic innovation and creative expression in all their diversity by offering various forms of support to promote Montréal artists and organizations that create, produce and present art. For 70 years, it has played a unique role as a catalyst and helped make Montréal a vibrant cultural metropolis, recognized at home and abroad for its artistic vitality.
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