Nearly half a million dollars to support artistic creation in Outaouais, including Pontiac.
Nearly half a million dollars to support artistic creation in Outaouais, including Pontiac.
A total of $472,000 will be invested to support 26 artistic and literary projects across the Outaouais region, including some in the Pontiac MRC, several institutional partners have announced, including the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), the Quebec Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as the MRCs and the City of Gatineau.
Awarded under the Outaouais Territorial Partnership Program, this financial support will benefit 14 artists as well as 12 professional arts organizations. The selected projects span various disciplines and aim to strengthen ties between the arts and local communities, particularly in more rural areas such as Pontiac.
In this MRC, where access to cultural resources can be a challenge, this type of support is particularly important. It not only helps encourage local artistic creation but also energizes cultural life and fosters the development of projects rooted in the realities of the territory.
In total, $232,700 is allocated to professional artists, writers, and authors, while $239,300 is directed to arts organizations. Among the recipients, two artists are receiving a first grant thanks to an enhancement of the program, while three organizations benefit from funding entirely provided by the CALQ.
The projects were selected following an evaluation process conducted by a peer committee made up of members from various artistic sectors. The excellence of the proposals, their relevance, and their ability to meet the program’s objectives were among the main criteria.
The Minister of Culture and Communications and regional minister for Outaouais, Mathieu Lacombe, praised the commitment of cultural stakeholders in the region, noting that these investments help showcase artistic creation across the entire territory, including areas such as Pontiac.
The President and CEO of the CALQ, Véronique Fontaine, highlighted the essential contribution of artists and organizations to the region’s cultural vitality. Meanwhile, Marc Carrière, President of the Conference of Prefects of the Outaouais, emphasized the importance of these projects in strengthening ties between creators and their communities.
This funding is part of a three-year agreement totaling $1,205,500 covering the 2024–2027 period. This is the second call for projects under this agreement, which aims to support artistic and cultural initiatives rooted in the territory and accessible to all citizens, including those in more remote areas such as Pontiac.
