Communiqués

Opening in 2009: Québec Studio in London for Artists and Writers

London, July 18, 2008—On a mission to London, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women Christine St-Pierre announced today the opening in 2009 of a studio for Québec artists and writers. This is a collaborative project with the Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Ms. Monique Gagnon-Tremblay.

“We want to give our artists the opportunity to recharge their batteries in a culturally vibrant international arts capital that offers unparalleled arts facilities and exceptionally easy contact. We also want to broaden the influence of Québec culture in Great Britain,” stressed Minister St-Pierre.

Four studios in Berlin, New York, Paris, and Rome currently allow Québec artists and writers to take advantage of the resources provided by these dynamic cultural environments and to enrich their artistic perspectives. The two ministries are assuming equal shares of the $60,000 cost of setting up and running the London studio.

“London is an excellent choice for promoting Québec’s identity and culture. Opening this fifth studio is in keeping with our international policy’s long-standing commitment to develop Québec’s expertise and talents,” declared the Minister of International Relations, Ms. Gagnon-Tremblay.

Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec manages the studio/studio-apartment program, which every year provides grants to Québec artists and writers for stays in more than 15 countries. The network of Québec studios and studio-apartments was developed through agreements with a number of countries and gives the Conseil a unique and dynamic way of supporting the careers of numerous Québec and foreign artists and writers. Québec’s foreign delegations and offices actively participate in implementing the studio-apartment program.

In 2007–2008, the Government of Québec supported 63 missions and promotional activities in Great Britain and Scandinavia, including 32 in theater arts and 7 in music. In particular, it helped showcase the following companies and artists—Dave St-Pierre, Dulcinée Langfelder, La La La Human Steps, Les Sept Doigts de la main, O Vertigo, Paul-André Fortier, Robert Lepage, Rubberbandance, and Sylvain Émard.

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Version française : Ouverture dès 2009 du studio du Québec à Londres pour les artistes et les écrivains québécois