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Montreal, March 30, 2017 – Cas Public is the winner of the 32nd Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal and its $30,000 purse. The jury hailed the quality of the organization’s productions and its ability to reach all age groups. It also underscored its remarkable year, during which it presented 117 performances (88 abroad) in seven countries. In 2016, Cas Public performed at such prestigious venues as Covent Garden in London, the Lincoln Center in New York, and the Opéra national de Paris, resulting in extraordinary international visibility, particularly for its works for young audiences.
Founded in 1989 by choreographer Hélène Blackburn, Cas Public has long striven to revitalize the gestural codes of contemporary dance. In 2001, with the aim of drawing wider audiences to dance and developing the discipline, the company took on a new challenge: creating works for young audiences. With its exuberant and energetic dance, Cas Public quickly earned a reputation for excellence, and has regularly appeared on national, international and local stages, including here in Montreal with the support of such programs as the Conseil des arts de Montréal Touring Program.
The winner was announced by Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski, Chairman of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, in the presence of Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal, and Michel Bissonnette, Executive Vice-President of Radio-Canada, the official partner of the Grand Prix. Nearly 800 personalities from the artistic, municipal and business sectors attended this annual event hosted by Philippe Fehmiu.
Presided over by Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski, this year’s jury included Amina Gerba, President and CEO of Les Laboratoires Kariliss and Groupe Afrique Expansion; Samuel Tétreault, the co-founder and co-artistic director of Les 7 doigts de la main, the winner of the 31st Grand Prix; Cathy Wong, President of the Conseil des Montréalaises; and John Zeppetelli, director and chief curator of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the co-winner of the 31st Grand Prix.
The jury had the difficult task of choosing among the five finalists, each having a unique approach appealing to wide audiences. The four other finalists for the 32nd Grand Prix were Culture pour tous, Festival BD de Montréal, Galerie B-312 and Théâtre MainLine / Festival St-Ambroise Fringe de Montréal. Each nominee received a $5,000 prize from generous Montreal patrons: Sylvie Cordeau of Québecor for Galerie B-312; Éric Fournier of Moment Factory for Théâtre MainLine / Festival St-Ambroise Fringe de Montréal; François Gratton, TELUS, for Festival BD de Montréal; Florence Junca-Adenot, Chair of Agora de la Danse, for Cas Public; Jean-Louis Roy, Partenariat International, for Culture pour tous; and Luc Plamondon for the winner of the 32nd Grand Prix.
An artwork for Les 7 doigts and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal
Last year’s co-winners, Les 7 doigts de la main and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, received an artwork entitled Muslim Factory Varanasi by Montreal artist Alain Paiement. This year’s winner will also receive an artwork, to be created over the next year and presented at the 33rd Grand Prix luncheon in 2018.
Radio-Canada, Official Partner
In conjunction with Radio-Canada, a loyal collaborator since 1994 and official partner since 2010, a video of the finalists is produced each year. This year’s video was directed by Alejandro Jiménez.
The Grand Prix of the Conseil des arts de Montréal
Every year since 1985, the Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal has recognized the excellence and vitality of a Montreal arts organization. Past winners include the Festival du nouveau cinéma, Cirque de Soleil and Louise Lecavalier & Fou glorieux. Founded in 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal is as proud as ever to reinforce Montreal’s status as an international cultural capital.
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