Press release
Launch of the 2011 Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal!
Montréal, November 30, 2011 – Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, and Louise Roy, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, the two co-chairs of the Honorary Committee for the Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal, kicked off the 2011 edition of the competition today.
This event, which has become a tradition, allows arts and cultural organizations from the metropolitan area to recognize members of the business community (Large Enterprise, SME, Arts/Business Personality and Business Volunteer categories) for their invaluable support during the year.
These prestigious awards recognize entrepreneurs’ innovative spirit and appetite for risk, and promote different forms of support to the arts in an effort to encourage other individuals and businesses to follow in their footsteps.
“In the current economic climate, cultural organizations have to be able to bank on the support of the business world, so that businesses can in turn benefit from the creativity and innovation they need to stand out from the crowd and generate wealth,” Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, said.
“In addition to contributing to the performance of our businesses, the arts also offer exposure to local talent,” Mr. Leblanc said. “Many major projects will reshape the face of our city in the coming years. Public art will be an essential component of their design, so that the Montréal of tomorrow builds a brand image on the international scene as a city of creators.”
“The Prix Arts-Affaires are an opportunity for the arts community to thank those who have helped it and for the business community to understand the importance of supporting the creative heart of our city,” Michel Leblanc said. “I encourage organizations to participate in great numbers to lend this initiative all the weight it deserves.”
“Business people are playing an increasingly important role in Montreal’s artistic sector that is not only limited to philanthropy and sponsorships, although financial assistance remains crucial. Whether it is by sharing expertise, offering free services or advice, providing business coaching, volunteering on boards, participating in the creation of an innovative project, or mounting a corporate collection, the business community’s support for the development of culture can take on many forms, which must be promoted and strengthened. The Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal highlight these various types of encouragement, which are above all the result of encounters between people with a shared passion,” said Louise Roy, Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
Arts and cultural organizations are invited to nominate business partners until March 5, 2012. Their business partners’ involvement must have occurred between January 1 and December 31, 2011. Details about the awards are available online at www.btmm.qc.ca/prix_arts_affaires and www.artsmontreal.org/en/prizes/prix-arts-affaires.
The winners of the 2010 Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal were: S.M. International Group, sponsored by the Festival du nouveau cinéma (Large Enterprise category); Georges Laoun Opticien, sponsored by OBORO (SME category); Jean-Pierre Desrosiers, Partner, Fasken Martineau, sponsored by Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà and Les Productions Laure-Furey (Arts-Business Personality category); and Michelle Cormier, Vice-President and CFO, TNG Corporation Inc., sponsored by the Orchestre Métropolitain (Business Volunteer category).
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal 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.
About the Conseil des arts de Montréal
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.”
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For information:
Geneviève Marsan
Interim Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
gmarsan@ccmm.qc.ca
Christian O'Leary
Director of Communications and Development
Conseil des arts de Montréal
Tel.: 514 280-3991
coleary.p@ville.montreal.qc.ca