CALQ Prize: Emerging Artist Work of the Year in Montréal (Prix du CALQ – Œuvre de la relève à Montréal)

Who Can Apply: Emerging professional artists, writers or collectives (maximum five years of professional practice) who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, live in Québec and have lived in the Montréal region for at least one year.
The Focus: One original work or exhibition first presented publicly between August 31, 2025 and September 1, 2026, in any CALQ discipline including visual arts, digital arts, film and video, and fine crafts.
The Funding: One cash prize of CAD 15,000, awarded in 2027.
Key Requirements: Send the signed identification form and the 'mise en valeur de l'œuvre' form (500-word case for the work), a CV (max 5 pages), a press file on the work (max 5 pages), up to 15 .jpg images for visual arts, one rights-free .jpg image of the work and a description of the support material, by WeTransfer to prix@calq.gouv.qc.ca by October 13, 2026 at 23:59.

DeadlineTuesday, October 13, 2026

AwardCash award of CAD 15,000. One prize per year, indivisible, paid in full to one artist or writer or to the members of one collective, for a single work or exhibition.

LocationMontréal, Québec

ParticipationRemote

Career stagesEmerging

Application notesNo online portal: the complete file is sent by WeTransfer to prix@calq.gouv.qc.ca by October 13, 2026 at 23:59. Put all files in one password-protected 7-Zip archive and email the password to prix@calq.gouv.qc.ca in a separate message; all attachments together must not exceed 25 MB. Current forms are in French, downloadable from the prize page. The file must contain: (1) the Formulaire d'identification, completed and signed (electronic signature in PDF, or signed on paper and scanned); (2) the Formulaire de mise en valeur de l'œuvre: title of the work, date and place of its first public presentation, discipline, and a text of no more than 500 words on the work's interest and relevance, its contribution to the discipline, the importance of its dissemination and its reach and impact for the region; (3) curriculum vitae, maximum five pages; (4) press file about the nominated work, maximum five pages; (5) for visual arts, fine crafts and architectural research, up to 15 images in .jpg format if needed (time-based disciplines instead insert a link to an audio or video sharing platform such as Vimeo or YouTube in a Word document, with viewing notes; literature and comics send the work as a PDF); (6) one rights-free .jpg image illustrating the work, with photo credit, for CALQ's promotional use; (7) a description of the support material (title, medium, year, dimensions, duration, public venue, etc.). If a third party proposes the candidacy, the candidate must sign the acceptance section of the form. For an exhibition, every work in it must have been shown for the first time within the eligibility dates. Collectives name one coordinator and every member must meet the eligibility conditions. All documents must be identified with the candidate's name and readable on Windows. An accessibility-support form is available for applicants with disabilities. Questions: Julie Labonté, program officer, julie.labonte@calq.gouv.qc.ca, 1 800 608-3350 or 418 528-2886.

Contactprix@calq.gouv.qc.ca

Hosted by

Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec

Organization based in Québec