CALQ and BAnQ launch a call for public art projects

Montreal, November 7, 2017 – The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) is proud to be partnering with Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) and the Fondation de BAnQ in order to foster the creation of original permanent works in the areas of visual arts and architecture, based on archival collections. These works will be installed in two BAnQ facilities: BAnQ Québec, located in the Louis-Jacques-Casault Pavilion at Université Laval, and BAnQ Vieux-Montréal, on Viger Avenue.

Quotations

"CALQ is pleased to be collaborating with BAnQ and the Fondation de BAnQ on this call for projects, which reflects CALQ's commitment not only to developing innovative partnerships aimed at supporting the creative process, but also to fostering public access to permanent and inspiring works in public spaces.", Anne-Marie Jean, President and Executive Director, CALQ

"BAnQ is proud to be associated with this public art project, which encourages the use of the archives in its care. The works created from this intersection of art and memory will naturally find their home in BAnQ's two flagship buildings. These works will serve as a powerful reminder to visitors that the archives, while essential to historical research, can also be a source of inspiration and can play a central role in artists' creative process.", Hélène Laverdure, Curator and Director General, National Archives

"The Fondation de BAnQ is delighted to support this project, which blends the memory of local architectural talent with the creative talent of contemporary artists.", Marie-Claude Collet, Director General, Fondation de BAnQ

Call for projects

Professionals in the fields of visual arts and architecture who have more than two years of artistic experience in Québec or abroad and who meet CALQ's general eligibility conditions and rules are eligible to take part.

To develop the project's artistic concept, the selected artist(s) will be required to draw inspiration from one or more of the architectural archival collections selected by BAnQ, including the Fonds Raoul Chênevert, the Fonds Joseph Dalbé-Viau, the Fonds Harold Ship and the Fonds Famille Staveley.

CALQ will be awarding a maximum of $15,000 per project. BAnQ, which is commissioning the works, will also be awarding the winners up to $20,000 for both works.

The deadline for project submissions is January 22, 2018. Works must be created between March 1 and November 1, 2018 (the latter is the inauguration date).

Details on the project submission process are available on CALQ's website at the following address: https://www.calq.gouv.qc.ca/en/aides/appel-a-projets-en-partenariat-avec-la-bibliotheque-et-archives-nationales-du-quebec-banq/ This link will open in a new window

For further information, please contact Marianne Thibault, CALQ Program Manager, at (800) 608-3350.

About CALQ

Working within a perspective of equitable and sustainable artistic development, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec supports the creation, production and dissemination of the arts and letters in all regions, raising the profile of works in Québec, the rest of Canada and around the world.

About BAnQ

As the largest cultural institution in Québec in terms of its attendance and diversified missions, and an essential pillar of our knowledge-based society, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) is mandated with ensuring democratic access to culture and knowledge. To this end, it collects, preserves and promotes Québec's and Québec-related heritage materials, and also provides the services of a major public library. BAnQ carries out its activities in 12 facilities which are open to the public: the Grande Bibliothèque, BAnQ Vieux-Montréal and BAnQ Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie in Montréal; BAnQ Gaspé, BAnQ Gatineau, BAnQ Québec, BAnQ Rimouski, BAnQ Rouyn-Noranda, BAnQ Saguenay, BAnQ Sept-Îles, BAnQ Sherbrooke and BAnQ Trois-Rivières. In January 2016, BAnQ was tasked by Québec's Department of Culture and Communications and the City of Montréal with reinventing the Saint-Sulpice Library, located in Montréal.

About the Fondation de BAnQ

The Fondation de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec is a non-profit organization that collects funds to support rallying developmental projects, thereby contributing to the fulfilment of BAnQ’s missions, which focus on raising the profile of Québec culture, knowledge and heritage.

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