Communiqué
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and the Conseil des arts de Montréal
launch the 2009 edition of the Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal
Montréal, June 11, 2009 The 2009 edition of the Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal was kicked off yesterday by the co-chairs of the Honourary Committee: Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, and Louise Roy, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal. They invite arts and cultural organizations in the metropolitan area to participate in this annual competition, which aims to reward the business community's sponsorship of culture.
This year's competition targets Greater Montréal cultural and artistic organizations that received support from a large enterprise, an SME, or an individual member of the business community between September 1, 2008, and August 31, 2009. These organizations have until September 28, 2009, to nominate their business partners.
The Prix Arts-Affaires provide cultural organizations with a wonderful opportunity to thank and acknowledge the efforts of their sponsors, thereby encouraging others to follow in their footsteps. These are inspiring examples for the entire business community, and it's important to let people know about them. Supporting culture means giving fresh impetus to Montréal's creativity, declared Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Business people are passionate entrepreneurs, and they work hard to make their dreams come true. It's this ability to achieve, as much as their financial contribution, that can help artistic organizations realize their full potential. This commitment assures the success of their own companies while proving they also care about the development of our society. The involvement of business people in making Montréal a creative metropolis is crucial: it must be recognized and rewarded. That's what the Prix Arts-Affaires are all about! added Louise Roy, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
The 2008 edition honoured the Société de transport de Montréal (Large enterprise category), sponsored by the Board of Montreal Museum Directors and supported by artist Rose-Marie E. Goulet; Vasco Design International (SME category), sponsored by the Groupe de la Veillée theatre company and the Ballets Jazz de Montréal; and Peter McAuslan (Arts/business personality category), sponsored by the St. Ambroise Fringe Festival and the Montreal Chamber Music Festival.
Full details about these awards are available on the following two Web sites: www.btmm.qc.ca/prix_arts_affaires and www.artsmontreal.org/prixartsaffaires.php.
About the Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal
The Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal are an initiative of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and the Conseil des arts de Montréal, in collaboration with daily newspaper Le Devoir and ARTV, that aims to reward businesses and individuals who have shown their support for Montréal arts and cultural organizations. The work of art presented to Prix Arts-Affaires winners is created by Rita, a multidisciplinary design collective composed of Stéphane Halmaï-Voisard, Karine Corbeil, and Francis Rollin.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montreal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
A dynamic partner of Montréal artistic creation, the Conseil des arts de Montréal supports and recognizes excellence in professional artistic creation, production, and distribution through financial support, advice, and cooperative and development actions. For over 50 years, the Conseil des arts de Montréal has contributed through its actions to the development of "Montréal, cultural metropolis."
-30-
Information:
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514-871-4000, extension 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca
Christian O'Leary
Director of Communications and Development
Conseil des arts de Montréal
Phone: 514-280-3991
coleary.p@ville.montreal.qc.ca