Montréal, February 8, 2024 — En Piste, the National Circus Arts Alliance, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) are pleased to announce that nominations are open for a brand-new circus arts award, the Propulsion Award. Presented for the first time this year, this award recognizes a circus artist, cultural worker, collective or organization whose unique and bold contributions renew and enrich the discipline while enhancing Montréal’s artistic vitality. The winner will receive a $10,000 grant from the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
The nomination period opens today and will close on April 3, 2024. For dates, details, rules, eligibility criteria and the application form, visit the CAM’s website.
Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and relevance of their contribution or artistic achievement, as well as its impact on the circus arts community and the applicant’s career path. The selection committee will be composed of professionals recognized for their expertise in the circus arts sector. Artistic works must have taken place between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
The awards ceremony will be held at the TOHU, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, as part of the 15th edition of the Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival.
Award objectives
En Piste and the CAM seek to recognize all manner of exciting innovations in the reimagining of circus arts practices, including bold creative approaches and stage designs, short forms or unique works, eco-responsible practices, technical and technological advances, new organizational models, avant-garde working methods, and new ways of disseminating and touring works, among others.
Who is eligible for this award?
Organizations, artists’ collectives, professional artists and cultural workers in Montréal whose works or activities are carried out in the circus arts sector, regardless of their number of years of experience.
History
In 2023, thanks to an initial partnership with the Conseil des arts de Montréal, we announced a brand-new recognition award to highlight the exceptional contribution, commitment and creativity of key figures in the circus arts sector. After a contest, three awards and $2,500 grants were awarded to three circus artists — Yamoussa Bangoura, Éliane Bonin and Victor Fomine. These were the first circus arts awards to be presented in Quebec. This year, the Propulsion award follows in the footsteps of these three awards and seeks to recognize innovation in the discipline.
Information:
Eloi Savoie
Interim Communications Director
esavoie@enpiste.qc.ca / 514-527-1334
