/R E P E A T -- Prix de Montréal pour les arts et la culture du Conseil des arts de Montréal - The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is this year's recipient of the Prix Tourisme Montréal du rayonnement international/

MONTREAL, Nov. 22, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - During a ceremony at the Marché Bonsecours de Montréal with close to 400 key members of Montréal's artistic and cultural milieu in attendance, Tourisme Montréal bestowed its Prix du rayonnement international upon the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). Accompanied by a $5,000 grant, this distinction is one of 10 honours awarded during the Prix de Montréal pour les arts et la culture, an event organized by the Conseil des arts de Montréal.

The Prix Tourisme Montréal du rayonnement international recognizes an artist or cultural organization that contributes to positioning Montréal as a prime destination on the international scene. Each year, a jury awards this honour to an artist or organization that distinguishes itself through exemplary performance vis-à-vis their tourist clientele, through actions designed to attract international travellers to Montréal. This year, the selection committee chose the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

In fact, the last few months have proven to be particularly propitious in terms of tourist attraction potential for this organization, which has notably proceeded with the opening of the new Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion of Québec and Canadian Art, complete with concert hall; a full renovation of all Museum collections within its four pavilions that are free of charge at all times; as well as the inauguration of the new Studios Art & Education Michel de la Chenelière. It should also be noted that the Museum has expanded its programming significantly, of which the exhibition, The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, garnered unprecedented international media attention.

"With an attendance rate of over 767,000 visitors in 2011 alone and a host of innovative projects, the Museum of Fine Arts shows now, more than ever, that it is a leading Montréal attraction and a dedicated contributor to the city's international reputation as a prime artistic and cultural destination," underlines the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal.

On the eve of Montréal's 375th anniversary, the MMFA has several projects on the drawing board, including the construction of a fifth pavilion to house the exceptional donation of works by Old Masters from Michal and Renata Hornstein.

Some 15 years ago, Tourisme Montréal launched an important initiative centred on the dynamic between Montréal tourism and culture. Since 2008, a triennial partnership between Tourisme Montréal, the City of Montréal and the Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women upholds the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal that supports and encourages such developmental efforts. The Plan d'action 2007-2017 - Montréal, métropole culturelle targets cultural tourism development so as to promote Montréal as a destination both in Canada and abroad.

About the Conseil des arts de Montréal
A dynamic partner of Montréal artistic creation, the Conseil des arts de Montréal supports and recognizes excellence in professional artistic creation, production, and distribution through financial support, advice, and cooperative and development actions. For over 50 years, the Conseil des arts de Montréal has contributed through its actions to the development of "Montréal, cultural metropolis."

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.

SOURCE: TOURISME MONTREAL

Alexandra Graveline
Manager - Corporate Public Relations 
Tourisme Montréal 514 844-3558
[email protected]