Culture Outaouais Announces Finalists for the 26th Edition of the Culturiades
Culture Outaouais Announces Finalists for the 26th Edition of the Culturiades
Culture Outaouais has announced the finalists for the 26th edition of the Culturiades, an annual event that celebrates excellence, innovation, and commitment within the Outaouais arts community. The awards will be presented on Thursday, November 27, at 7 p.m. at Cégep Heritage.
To begin, the Young Talent Award, which includes a $2,000 grant, recognizes the outstanding work of artists and collectives aged 35 and under. This year’s finalists are actress, writer, and performer Marie-Pier Lajoie for Toi et Soie; cultural worker, choreographer, and contemporary dance performer Lauranne Faubert-Guay; and multidisciplinary artist Yolande Laroche, known for her work as a singer, composer, clarinetist, and DJ.
The Organization of the Year Award, also accompanied by a $2,000 grant, highlights organizations making a significant impact on the region’s cultural life. The finalists are the Centre d’art populaire du Québec, located in the MRC of Papineau; Théâtre Dérives Urbaines, a professional creation company; and Ciné Jonction, a presenter of Quebec and international cinema.
For the Creation Residency, three artists are competing for one of two stays offered at Maison Fairview, each paired with a $2,500 grant. The finalists are Frédérique Drolet for Terre de liens, a participatory vocal music project; Marc-André Charette for Rue du trésor, a series of literary portraits created in collaboration with local residents; and Shaaban Mayuto for Racines et Destins, a musical project exploring resilience and the connection between two cultural realities.
The evening’s most prestigious honour, the Artist of the Year Award—presented by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec—comes with a $10,000 grant. The finalists are Milena Buziak, director and artistic director of Voyageurs Immobiles; Lauranne Faubert-Guay, also a finalist in the Young Talent category; and Frédérique Drolet, who stands out as both a soprano and an arts mediator.
Finally, the 2025 Tribute Award will be presented to Yves Léveillé, founder of the Gatineau Symphony Orchestra and a leading figure in the musical community. A professor for more than three decades at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Gatineau, he trained generations of artists while conducting both choir and orchestra. His long-standing commitment has earned him this well-deserved recognition.
Culture Outaouais notes that this year’s Culturiades once again highlight the richness, diversity, and vitality of the Outaouais arts scene.