PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Montréal, June 11, 2026 – En Piste, National Circus Arts Alliance, is pleased to announce the four finalists for the 3rd edition of the Propulsion Award, an initiative carried out with the support of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
United by a shared desire to advance the art of the circus, the four finalists stand out for the strength of their approach, their artistic boldness, and their unique perspective on contemporary creation. Their projects reflect a circus in motion, rooted in research, experimentation, collaboration, and the renewal of theatrical languages.
The finalists for this third edition are:
David Ayotte | Co-creator of the “Auteur de cirque” program with the National Circus School and the National Theatre School of Canada
As the founder of the “Auteur de cirque” programme, David Ayotte is helping to transform the way we think about, write for and present circus creation. Drawing on his experience as a performer and his deep understanding of the body on stage, he offers a structured approach that enhances artists’ creative autonomy and establishes the circus as an authorial art form.
Photo Credit: Stéphane Bourgeois
Alyssa Bunce | Our Lady of the Home / Notre-Dame du Foyer
With Our Lady of the Home / Notre-Dame du Foyer, Alyssa Bunce presents a work that is at once intimate, political, and unsettling. Through acrobatics, physical theatre, and games of perception, she brings to life the memories of housewives trapped in an alienating system, while opening up new narrative possibilities for contemporary circus.
Photo Credit: Brin Schoellkopf
Julien Desforges | Creative artist fusing hair suspension and slackline
Julien Desforges has developed a practice as rare as it is striking, at the intersection of hairline suspension, slacklining, balance, and dizzying heights. His performances unfold a magnetic tension between vulnerability and prowess, poetry and risk, revealing a singular artistic signature that pushes the boundaries of contemporary acrobatics.
Photo Credit: Ross Perkin
La Soirée de la Confiture, édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe | La Croustade
With La Soirée de la Confiture, édition Suc’ à Crème Deluxe, La Croustade transforms circus improvisation into a collective, effervescent, and deeply vibrant playground. The event fosters spontaneous encounters between artists, disciplines, and audiences, in a playful, daring, and caring spirit, giving rise to a rare happening where anything can happen.
Photo Credit: Caroline Thibault
Four daring propositions
The Propulsion Prize aims to support the artistic and professional development of circus artists by offering them significant recognition and practical support for the next stage of their careers. It highlights promising initiatives that can contribute to the evolution of contemporary circus and help raise its profile.
“What particularly moves us this year is the diversity of forms that innovation in circus can take. Each finalist blazes a unique trail, whether through creation, transmission, technical research, or engagement with audiences. The Propulsion Award allows us to highlight these bold approaches and support those who actively contribute to the evolution of Montreal’s circus scene. ”
– Nadia Drouin, Executive Director, En Piste
En Piste would like to warmly thank the Conseil des arts de Montréal for its commitment to the circus arts and for its essential support of this initiative. Thanks to this support, the Propulsion Award helps recognize the talent, boldness, and potential of artists who are actively contributing to the renewal of the community.
The announcement of the artist or collective receiving the 2026 Propulsion Award and the $10 000 cash prize will take place on July 5, 2026, in Montreal, during En Piste’s 5@Cirque event, held at La Trattoria at Espace St-Denis as part of the International Contemporary Circus Market.
During this 5@Cirque event, En Piste will also announce the artist or collective receiving the CALQ Award for Best Circus Work and its $15,000 grant, a distinction that highlights the excellence, vitality, and influence of Quebec circus creation.
About En Piste
As it approaches its 30th anniversary, En Piste is the only national circus arts organization, that brings together nearly 600 individual members and organizations in the sector. It works to create conditions conducive to the development of the circus arts across Canada by bringing together the circus community, strengthening sector cohesion, and promoting the circus to government bodies as well as to local, national, and international audiences and presenters.
About le Conseil des arts de Montréal
Founded in 1956, the Conseil des arts de Montréal supports artistic innovation and creative expression in all their diversity by offering various forms of support to help Montréal artists and creation, production, and presentation organizations shine. For 70 years, it has played a unique role as a catalyst, helping make Montréal a vibrant cultural metropolis recognized here and abroad for its artistic vitality.
– 30 –
Contact
Media Relations
Valérie Grig
514 812-3858 / valerie@rugicomm.ca