MONTRÉAL, May 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The winners of the Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal were announced this evening at Usine C. For the 2013 edition, Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, and Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski, Chair of the board of Conseil des arts de Montréal, recognized the contribution of National Bank (Enterprise category), Brian M. Levitt (Arts-Business Personality category) and Chloé Fleurant (Business Volunteer category). The event took place with Manon Gauthier, Ville de Montréal executive committee member responsible for culture, heritage, design, Space of Life and the status of women, in attendance.
The Prix Arts-Affaires de Montréal, an initiative of the Board of Trade and the Conseil des arts de Montréal, recognize the contribution of businesses and individuals to Montréal cultural organizations. They foster partnerships between the business and arts communities and are a forum for exploring different ways to support culture. Winners are chosen by an independent jury.
"We have maintained for a number of years that anyone can support culture," said Michel Leblanc. "The Prix Arts-Affaires are an opportunity during the year to see the results of all the work that has been accomplished. We see the many different contributions. We see people who are passionate about culture. We see stories of successful partnerships. And we see tomorrow's leaders, who will carry the torch that was lit with Montréal, Cultural Metropolis. Congratulations to this year's winners, who are great ambassadors for ties between arts and business."
"It is a pleasure for the Conseil des arts de Montréal to celebrate business people's involvement in the Montréal arts community," said Chair of the board of Conseil des arts, Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski. "People who decide to get involved in the world of culture don't necessarily realize how important their contribution is. This applies to corporate executives as well, who, in addition to their own involvement, take their companies along on the adventure."
"Ties between the business and arts communities generate benefits that contribute to our city's artistic development and reinforce Montréal's status as a cultural metropolis," Manon Gauthier said. "These partnerships are invaluable and beneficial all around. I encourage members of Montréal's business community to follow this inspiring example of partnership and continue to create new initiatives that benefit all Montrealers."
This event is made possible through the cooperation of Le Devoir, Radio-Canada and Usine C.
The winners
Sponsored by the Pointe-à-Callière Foundation and the Fondation du Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, National Bank received the award in the Enterprise category. A longstanding partner of the Pointe-à-Callière Foundation, the company has helped create, through its remarkable donation of $1 million, the Montreal Archaeology and History Complex and has associated its name with the Mariners' House. Every year, Private Wealth 1859 invites some 30 members of the business community to the Collectors Symposium at its expense, making it possible for the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal to acquire work for its permanent collection. In doing so, it plays a major role in the development and positioning of Quebec's emerging artists internationally.
The Arts-Business Personality award was given to Brian M. Levitt, co-chair of the law firm Osler, a volunteer at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for the past 20 years and chairman of its board of trustees since 2008. Through his generous involvement, Mr. Levitt has enabled the Museum to raise over $260 million in cash and artworks. He contributed to the opening of the Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion of Quebec and Canadian Art in 2011 and the Bourgie Concert Hall, and helped secure the donation from Michal and Renata Hornstein of almost 80 works by old masters, valued at $75 million, which will be exhibited at the international art pavilion for Montréal's 375th anniversary.
In the same category, the jury also awarded a special jury prize to Luis Angarita, sponsored by the Fondation LatinArte. Director of CD&I Associates, an expert in innovation and a renowned designer in Latin America, for the past five year Mr. Angarita has been responsible for the design, image and identity for the Fondation LatinArte, a leading organization for promoting Latin American art produced in Quebec. Thanks to his imaginative communication strategies, he has promoted Latino art in Montréal, contributing to the city's cultural diversity.
Finally, the Business Volunteer award was given to Chloé Fleurant, a lawyer at McCarthy Tétrault, sponsored by Jamais Lu. Ms. Fleurant is a stage writing enthusiast and has been the secretary for the organization's board of directors for the past three years. She contributes her legal expertise and ensures that the organization's intellectual property is respected. This year, she personally secured 30% of the overall fundraising campaign objective. Since she has been involved with Jamais Lu, the organization has doubled its sales and almost tripled its own-source revenue.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
About Conseil des arts de Montréal
A dynamic partner of artistic creativity in Montreal, the Conseil des arts de Montréal identifies, supports and recognizes excellence and innovation in the creation, production and presentation of professional artistic endeavours. It encourages experimentation, discovery and daring at the heart of Montreal's artistic landscape, thanks to its initiatives that stimulate emerging and culturally diverse artists. For over 50 years, the Conseil des arts de Montréal has been an influential player in the development of "Montreal, Cultural Metropolis."
Image with caption: "Louis Vachon of National Bank and Michel Leblanc of BTMM; Chloé Fleurant of McCarthy Tétrault and Ugo Dionne of Bénévoles d’affaires; Luis Angarita of CD&I Associés and Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski of Conseil des arts de Montréal; Brian M. Levitt of Osler and Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski of Conseil des arts de Montréal; Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski of Conseil des arts de Montréal, Éric Bujold of National Bank , Chloé Fleurant of McCarthy Tétrault, Luis Angarita of CD&I Associés, Brian M. Levitt of Osler, Michel Leblanc of BTMM. (CNW Group/Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140508_C3010_PHOTO_EN_2075.jpg
SOURCE: Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Michelle LLambias MeunierAdvisor, Media RelationsBoard of Trade of Metropolitan MontrealTel.: 514 871-4000, ext. [email protected];Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal Twitter: @chambremontreal Follow the discussion: #ccmmqcca;Tania Orméjuste, Director of Communications, Conseil des arts de Montréal, Tel.: 514 280-3991, [email protected], www.artsmontreal.org, facebook.com/ArtsMontreal, twitter.com/ConseilArtsMtl
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