A circus arts award for artists, artist collectives and professional arts organizations.
*Submission deadline: April 10, 2026
INTRODUCTION
En Piste and the Conseil des arts de Montréal want to shine a spotlight on circus arts identities in Montreal that innovate, enrich the discipline through original and significant contributions, and actively participate in its development while contributing to Montreal’s artistic vitality.
In a context of effervescence and renewal in circus arts practices, innovation can take many forms that En Piste and the CAM seek to reward — including bold creative approaches and stage aesthetics, short forms or unique acts, eco-responsible practices, technical and technological advances, new organizational models, avant-garde work methods, and new ways of disseminating and touring works, among others.
Who is this award for?
Organizations, artist collectives, professional artists, and cultural workers in Montreal whose work or activities are in the circus arts sector, regardless of their number of years of experience.
What are the objectives?
The Propulsion Award aims to:
- highlight innovation in circus arts practices in Montreal by valuing bold actions that contribute to the discipline’s development;
- recognize all forms of innovative advancements (artistic, technological, management, dissemination, etc.) that contribute to the renewal and avant-garde reputation of Montreal as an international capital of circus arts;
- provide tangible support to beneficiaries;
- encourage wider visibility of the discipline, contribute to its accessibility, and enhance recognition among the general public.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
What is the value of the award?
The prize is $10,000 offered by CAM to the winning organization or individual.
What is the contribution of the partners?
The Conseil des arts de Montréal collaborates with En Piste, National Circus Arts Alliance, to present this annual award.
ADMISSIBILITY DETAILS
How many awards will be granted?
Only one award is granted each year.
What are the general eligibility requirements?
For an individual artist
- meet the Council’s definition of a professional artist
- reside on the Island of Montreal
- for Indigenous artists only, be domiciled and work within the territory of the Island of Montreal or within a maximum of 50 km surrounding area (including the communities of Kahnawake and Kanesatake)
- hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency in Canada as of the application submission date
For an artist collective
- be represented by an individual responsible for the application who resides in Montreal and holds permanent residency or Canadian citizenship.
- be a group of artists, regardless of the number (minimum two artists)
- be composed of two-thirds artists holding Canadian citizenship or permanent residency; the proportion of collective members residing outside Canada may not exceed one-third
- be composed of artists predominantly domiciled (50% +1) within the territory of the Island of Montreal, including the individual responsible for the application
- be composed of professional artists who meet the Council’s definition
For an artistic organization
- be a non-profit organization or a non-profit artists’ cooperative that does not distribute dividends
- have its head office within the territory of the Island of Montreal
- have a board of directors predominantly composed of individuals holding Canadian citizenship or permanent residency
- have as its primary mission the creation, production, or dissemination of cultural works, or have as its mandate the organization and representation of artists or cultural workers
- meet the Council’s definition of a professional artistic organization
What are the specific eligibility conditions?
Individual artists may have distinguished themselves in the circus arts as performers, directors, designers, playwrights, or in any other role that contributes to the creation and presentation of works.
What projects are eligible?
Projects related to these different mandates:
1. Distribution
2. Creation/production
3. Festivals/events
4. Service organizations
What is the project creation period?
Artistic works must have been created between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
Who can’t apply (inadmissibility)?
Clientele
- collectives and organizations that do not meet the general eligibility conditions
- collectives that act as a dissemination organization or organize festivals or events
- public and parapublic organizations acting on behalf of governments and municipal bodies
- artists, collectives, or organizations who have previously won this award
Activity sectors
- organizations working exclusively in variety and comedy
- applicants working exclusively in cultural mediation
- artists, collectives, and organizations that do not work in circus arts
Applications
- incomplete applications
- applications received after the submission deadline
Glossary
How can I find out the definitions of certain terms used?
Please refer to the Council’s glossary.
APPLICATION
How to submit my application?
For further details, please read and complete the form.
The application may be submitted by the organization, collective, artist, or by a representative. The individual responsible for the application must complete the application form. The form must be duly signed by the proposed artist, collective, or organization.
EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
How are applications evaluated?
Applications will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of professionals recognized for their expertise in the circus arts sector and their thorough knowledge of this field and the targeted issues. The Council’s circus arts advisor serves as an observer member.
The Council, in collaboration with En Piste, the national circus arts association, ensures the representativeness of each jury’s composition while respecting its vision of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
All applications will be evaluated on merit, and selection will take into consideration the comparative value of the proposals.
What are the evaluation criteria?
1. Quality and relevance of the artistic contribution or achievement
- The innovative nature of the artistic contribution or proposal.
- The relevance of the artistic contribution or proposal within the current context of circus arts.
- The originality of the artistic proposal or contribution and its inspiring nature for the community.
2. Impact of the contribution or artistic achievement on the circus arts sector
- The exemplary nature of the artistic contribution or proposal within the discipline.
- The ability to foster diversity in circus practices and to participate in their renewal.
- The ability to unite the circus community and to generate new synergies.
- The impact on the recognition of Montreal as an international capital of circus arts.
3. The impact of this award on the professional career of the laureate
What is the notification period?
The winner (organization, collective, or artist) will be announced publicly at an awards ceremony organized by En Piste, a national circus arts association, in the summer of 2026.
PAYMENT TERMS
How will the award be disbursed?
The CAD 10 000$ award will be paid in a single instalment by En Piste, acting on behalf of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, after the announcement of the award recipient.
Personnes-ressources
Eloi Savoie
Directeur des communications
esavoie@enpiste.qc.ca
514-529-1183 #4
Roxanne Robillard
Conseillère culturelle – arts du cirque, arts de rue et pratiques artistiques non disciplinaires
roxanne.robillard@montreal.ca
514 280-3389