Montreal, June 13, 2025 – En Piste, the national association of circus arts, continues its partnership with the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) and, in addition, inaugurates a new collaboration for the promotion of circus, through the creation of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) Award for Best Circus Work.
“What an important moment for En Piste to unveil the seven finalists for the circus arts awards! Bearing witness to the effervescence of circus in the cultural landscape, in Montreal as throughout Quebec, these awards contribute to the growing recognition of our artistic discipline. They also represent a mark of esteem from our arts councils towards the unique contribution of circus to Quebec’s artistic richness. Thanks to essential partnerships with CALQ and CAM, circus arts finally occupy their rightful place: that of a living art, constantly evolving, deeply rooted in our society. The finalist works brilliantly illustrate this vitality and the diversity of practices that shine here and beyond.“ – Nadia Drouin, Executive Director of En Piste.
The CALQ Award for Best Circus Work
“It is with immense pride that we present, for the very first time, an award recognizing the best circus work presented in Quebec. We are very pleased with the enthusiasm from the community for this first call for applications. The three finalists chosen by our jury attest to the richness of circus creation in Quebec and the incredible creativity of our artists. Thanks to the organization En Piste for its valuable collaboration in implementing this new initiative!” – Véronique Fontaine, President and CEO of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.
FINALISTS – CALQ AWARD FOR BEST CIRCUS WORK
The Propulsion Award from the Conseil des arts de Montréal
“The Conseil des arts de Montréal is delighted to highlight, through the finalists of the Propulsion Award in circus arts, remarkable contributions that nourish the artistic vitality of our cultural metropolis. Through their creative spirit, their roots in the community, and their desire to open circus to everyone, these organizations are redefining the contours of an art with multiple possibilities. Their commitment testifies to the power of circus as a driver of social connection, reflection, and future. Thanks to En Piste, a valuable partner in this celebration of movement and audacity.” – Nathalie Maillé, Executive Director of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.
FINALISTS FOR THE CAM PROPULSION AWARD
These two awards, offered in collaboration with En Piste, will be presented on July 3rd, during the opening night of the MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival. Each endowed with a $10,000 grant, they have significant benefits for the laureates in terms of visibility as well as in their artistic achievements. Furthermore, they foster creative emulation among emerging artists and within the circus arts community in general.
The submitted projects bear witness to the multiple high-quality circus practices present in Quebec and its metropolis. In these projects, circus, in its multiple forms, unfolds in action as much as in space, on stage as much as in unusual locations. The seven projects selected as finalists for these two prestigious awards attest to the fervor of the circus community, its inventiveness in acrobatic forms, and the remarkable skills of the artists, craftspeople, and professionals who drive it.
The presentation of the two circus arts awards will take place before the performance of The Genesis, the opening show of the MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival on July 3, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Ms. Véronique Fontaine and Ms. Nathalie Maillé will be present to announce the laureates of the 2025 editions.
Thanks to TOHU and MCC for hosting the awards ceremony.
ABOUT EN PISTE
Founded in 1997, En Piste is the sole national association for circus arts, bringing together nearly 600 individual members and organizations in the sector. It works to establish favorable conditions for the development of circus arts across Canada, by gathering the circus community, consolidating cohesion within the field, and promoting circus to governmental bodies as well as to local, national, and international audiences and presenters.
Information
Eloi Savoie
Director of Communications
En Piste
esavoie@enpiste.qc.ca