Montreal, June 22, 2015 – The winners of the Montreal Arts-Business Awards were announced today at a press conference at the Maison du Conseil des arts de Montréal in the Gaston-Miron Building. Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, revealed the four winners of this 9th edition: Ivanhoé Cambridge (Large Entreprise category), Tampopo (SME category), André Bourbeau (Arts-Business Personality) and Charles Milliard (Business Volunteer). Among those in attendance were Robert Poëti, Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for the Montreal Region, and Manon Gauthier, Executive Committee Member Responsible for Culture, Heritage, Design, the Space for Life and the Status of Women.
The Arts-Business Awards promote the invaluable links between the business community and cultural organizations. Today, they paid tribute to pioneers, enterprises and volunteers that have showed the way. The Arts-Business Awards are a source of inspiration to both the business world and the arts community, helping to make Montreal a vibrant cultural capital.
“It is through initiative such as these that we are encouraging the involvement of enterprises and volunteers, and the idea is taking root,” affirmed the Chair of Conseil des arts de Montréal, Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski. “The winners of this 9th edition reflect the diversity and innovation shown by Montreal individuals and enterprises in their commitment to artistic organizations. Their leadership goes well beyond donations.”
“The Board of Trade has collaborated for nearly ten years with CAM on the Business-Arts Awards,” added Michel Leblanc. “The winners crowned today remind us of the essential role played by the business community in the creative initiatives launched by cultural organizations. I congratulate the winners for their strong commitment and boldness. They serve as inspirational examples, particularly in a context in which the smallest cultural organizations need support from the business world more than ever.”
“My congratulations to all the winners, whose commitment has helped shape the city’s culture and supported its development,” declared Minister Robert Poëti, representing the Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister Responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language, Hélène David. “I would like to thank the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, who are encouraging a true cultural partnership between the arts and business. It is clear that both worlds benefit from this connection.”
“We are here today to pay tribute to the invaluable contributions of enterprises in the development of culture and the arts in Montreal,” added Manon Gauthier. “Congratulations to all the winners, and in particular to Tampopo!”
Congratulations to the Winners
Ivanhoé Cambridge, nominated by the Pointe-à-Callière Foundation, won the Prize in the Large Enterprise category. Taking an active role in the decisions and development of the Foundation, Ivanhoé Cambridge has sat on its Board since 2005. These volunteers act as veritable ambassadors for the activities of the Foundation and the development projects of the Pointe-à-Callière Museum. The company confirmed its four-year commitment during the Foundation’s major fundraising campaign, and helped to give 160 volunteers an unforgettable evening at a site steeped in history: the World Trade Centre Montreal. Ivanhoé Cambridge supports cultural organizations whose mission is to protect or promote our architectural heritage. The company is also a partner of some of Montreal’s finest cultural institutions, including the McCord Museum and Heritage Montreal. In 2014, in collaboration with Heritage Montreal, Ivanhoé Cambridge presented a series of guided historical tours in the heart of the city. The real estate firm also partnered with the McCord Museum in a project allowing visitors to follow a circuit of landmarks via the iPhone application MTL Urban Museum, which superimposes historic images onto present-day views, drawing on the Notman Photographic Archives.
The SME Prize was awarded to Tampopo, nominated by Les Productions Quitte ou Double. This company demonstrated its openness, boldness and creativity through its innovative contribution to the young theatre troupe’s Le Dragon d’or, performed at the Théâtre Prospéro in April 2014. Set in an Asian restaurant, the production allowed actors and audience to sample real dishes prepared and delivered by Tampopo, thereby creating the hyperrealist experience intended by the artistic director. Although the idea at first seemed simple, the restaurant team had to painstakingly consider all the logistical details, from the temperature of the dishes to traffic congestion—serving thirty meals in their three woks at rush hour—over the course of fifteen performances. In addition to offering low-priced meals to audience members and promoting the show to its customers, the project provided an opportunity for Tampopo to launch its “Wok ‘n’ Progress” initiative in support of emerging artists.
The Arts-Business Personality Prize was presented to André Bourbeau, who was nominated by the Jeunesses Musicales Canada Foundation (JMCF). André Bourbeau has worked for nearly 20 years to ensure the stability and longevity of the Jeunesses Musicales Canada and its Foundation. Under his chairmanship, the JMCF has enjoyed a close relationship with the business world, and seen the number of its administrators grow from 18 to 35. In addition, he has injected new energy into its fundraising events, which have amassed $4.68 million, of which $2.4 million has gone into JMC’s operating budget. JMC House is perhaps his greatest material achievement. In 1999 he negotiated the purchase of the building, owned by the Ville de Montréal, for the symbolic sum of one dollar, then persuaded two levels of government to invest the necessary sums ($2.3 million) to transform the former medical clinic into a unique chamber music hall and headquarters. His list of accomplishments also includes the Montreal International Music Competition, which has attracted the world’s most renowned artists and jurists since 2002, as well as the Instrument Bank for young musicians who cannot afford high-quality violins or cellos. These instruments are currently valued at $100,000. The philanthropic actions of André Bourbeau have given a huge boost to the JMC and its Foundation, whose investments in the careers of emerging artists now total over $1.5 million.
Last but not least, the Business Volunteer Prize went to Charles Milliard, nominated by the Festival TransAmériques (FTA). Charles Milliard joined the FTA’s Board of Directors in 2010. He was only 30 years old at the time, and had no experience in governing cultural organizations. Very quickly, however, he joined the Financing and Development Committee, and the following year arranged for Uniprix, his employer, to become a festival sponsor—a partnership that continues to this day. In 2013 and 2014, Charles Milliard agreed to preside over the Honorary Committee of the Benefit Gala, which he helped to restructure. Last year, these two events raised record amounts: $65,474 and $102,350. In 2014, he also brought together some 70 young professionals at an event he instigated, FTA éclaté, which gave this community its first physical contact with the Festival. Currently Vice-Chair of the FTA’s Board of Directors and Chair of its Financing and Development Committee, Charles Milliard is a volunteer of the highest order, whose exemplary commitment must be applauded.
About the Conseil des arts de Montréal
A driving force in the Montreal art world, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes excellence and innovation in professional creation, production and presentation. It prepares the ground for bold experimentation and discoveries, paying particular attention to emerging and culturally diverse artists. Since 1956, the Conseil’s numerous development projects have helped make Montreal a true “cultural metropolis.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Representing the interests of the business community of Greater Montreal, it provides individuals, merchants and local businesses of all sizes with a range of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec’s largest private organization devoted to economic development.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier,
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
514-871-4000, ext. 4042
Nancy Bélanger
Interim Director of Communications and Territorial Initiatives
Conseil des arts de Montréal
514-280-3991
Information:
Alain Labonté
514-815-2128 / 514-523-9922
alain@alainlabonte.ca