2023 Circus Arts Recognition Award

In 2023, En Piste, the national circus arts association, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal (Montreal Arts Council) created the Circus Arts Recognition Award. It was awarded to three individuals whose passionate work, achievements, and commitment have significantly impacted the field and helped position Montreal as an international capital of circus arts. Each award included a $2,500 grant provided by the CAM. These are the first awards granted in circus arts in Quebec.

This award ceremony took place at Les 7 Doigts, during a 5@7Cirque event following the AGM Forum and the organization’s first Digital Workshop sessions, on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 5 PM.

In the post-pandemic context, the recognition awards aimed to rebuild solidarity, reconnect, and reward and celebrate the contributions of circus arts artists, artisans, and managers who deserve recognition, specifically to:

_ highlight the exceptional contribution of deserving individuals in the sector;
_ recognize leadership, innovation, creativity, and commitment within the community;
_ offer peer recognition;
_ foster a sense of unity and pride;
_ showcase career paths in the field.

A pre-selection committee composed of five peers initially chose ten candidates who distinguished themselves through their overall achievements; the quality of their work; their contribution to the development and advancement of the circus community; as well as their input in terms of equity and inclusion. These are Yamoussa Bangoura, Éliane Bonin, Françoise Boudreault, Antoine Carabinier Lépine, Shana Carroll, Yves Dagenais, Soizick Hébert, Melissa Holland, Rémi Jacques, Victor Fomine. Discover their biographies in the “Finalists & Laureates” section.

These nominations were submitted to an electronic vote by En Piste members, as of March 28, 2023. The three individuals who received the most votes were awarded the recognition prize on Monday, April 3, at the 5@Cirque event, in the presence of the community. The laureates are Yamoussa Bangoura, Éliane Bonin, and Victor Fomine.

En Piste thanks the Conseil des arts de Montréal for its generous support of this initiative, as well as its event partner Les 7 Doigts.

In 2024, the Circus Arts Recognition Awards were succeeded by the Propulsion Award, still in partnership with the Conseil des arts de Montréal (Montreal Arts Council).