L to R. : Yvan Gauthier, CEO of Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, with the career grants recipients : photographer Michel Campeau, singer-composer Karen Young, filmmaker Richard Lavoie, poet-novelist Yolande Villemaire, filmmaker Robert Monderie and poet-essayist  David Solway.
Photo: Jean-Guy Thibodeau

The CALQ awards its prestigious career grants to Michel Campeau, Richard Lavoie, Robert Monderie, David Solway, Yolande Villemaire and Karen Young

Montréal, January 28, 2009 — Yvan Gauthier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), is pleased to announce the recipients of three career grants and the Jean-Paul-Riopelle award, each worth $60,000, as well as two career grants for scriptwriters and filmmakers, worth $50,000 respectively. 

"I would like to warmly congratulate all of the recipients," Mr. Gauthier said. "By awarding these prestigious awards, the Conseil is supporting their long-term artistic development, marked by innovation, and acknowledging their significant contribution to the vitality of Québec culture. Thanks to this tangible support, the recipients will be able to carry out their artistic projects that have been close to their hearts for a long time."

The 2008-2009 career grants were awarded to poet-essayist David Solway, singer-composer Karen Young, and poet-novelist Yolande Villemaire. Photographer Michel Campeau received the Jean-Paul-Riopelle career grant, and film directors Richard Lavoie and Robert Monderie received the awards for scriptwriters and filmmakers. Three juries, made up of individuals recognized for their knowledge of and commitment to the arts and literature field, evaluated the 50 applications. 

Career grants were created in order to support the artistic development of artists who have at least 20 years’ experience. Since its first edition in 1999, the CALQ has awarded career awards to Marie-Claire Blais, Nicole Brossard, René Derouin, Denise Desautels, Francis Dhomont, André Forcier, Madeleine Gagnon, Serge Giguère, Margie Gillis, Suzanne Jacob, Louise Lecavalier, Robert Morin, Guy Nadon, Jacques Plante and Jean-Pierre Ronfard. 

Offered for the first time in 2003, the Jean-Paul-Riopelle career grant reflects the government's desire to acknowledge the painter’s outstanding contribution to Québec culture. Intended for visual artists, it is awarded every two years like the career grants. Jocelyne Alloucherie, Charles Gagnon and Gilles Mihalcean received it consecutively. Film career grants are awarded each year to scriptwriters and filmmakers working in the fields of fiction, art, experimental or documentary film. Helen Doyle and Marcel Beaulieu were the first recipients in 2008. 

Since 1994, the CALQ has supported creation, experimentation and production in the performing, visual and media arts, architectural research, arts and crafts, and literature throughout Québec. It has increased the influence of the arts in Québec, Canada and abroad. The Conseil also supports the development of professional artists.

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Source: Carl Allen, Public Relations Director
Telephone: 514 864-2930 or 1 800 608-3350
Website: www.calq.gouv.qc.ca