QUEBEC CITY, May 6, 2024 – The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), in cooperation with the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, is proud to announce the individuals who will become members of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its creation this year. Hélène Dorion, Claude Dubois, André Forcier, Linda Gaboriau, Rosie Godbout, Michel Goulet, Alice Ming Wai Jim, Menka Nagrani, Susie Napper, Louise Sicuro, Roland Smith and William Tagoona, as well as the members of the band Les Cowboys Fringants, Marie-Annick Lépine, Jérôme Dupras, Jean-François Pauzé and Karl Tremblay, will receive the title of Compagne and Compagnon des arts et des lettres du Québec during an investiture ceremony on June 10, at Espace orange in the Wilder Building in Montréal.

This prestigious honor awarded by the CALQ pays tribute to cultural luminaries for their outstanding contribution to the development and reputation of Québec arts and literature, at home and abroad. Short biographies of recipients are appended. “Just as art is at the forefront of many issues facing society, the people who shape it light the way, awaken our consciousness, and prompt us to advance in our thinking. Art brings counsel. In putting their talent and creativity at the service of art, these luminaries help promote Québec’s cultural milieu and leave us with a tremendous heritage. On behalf of the CALQ, I would like to thank the 16 recipients for their achievements and their exceptional influence, and I welcome them to the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec family, which this year is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its creation.” – Sylvain Lafrance, President, Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec “With deep roots in the cultural community it has fully dedicated itself to for the past 30 years, the Caisse de la Culture supports artists, artisans, self-employed workers, businesses, and cultural organizations in the projects that matter to them,” said Marie-Christine Cojocaru, General Manager of the Caisse de la Culture. “In this anniversary year, the Caisse is proud to once again partner with the CALQ to celebrate three decades of work in culture. The Ordre des arts et des lettres ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, highlighting the incredible careers of luminaries who have helped make our culture resonate and radiate.”

The Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec celebrates the 10th anniversary of its creation Introduced in 2015 for the CALQ’s 20th anniversary, the is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its creation this year. It is awarded to artists, writers, teachers, managers and patrons whose outstanding achievements contribute to Québec’s artistic and literary development. The honour is symbolized by an insignia designed by the jewellery artist Christine Dwane. With this new cohort announced today, 167 luminaries who have left their mark on Québec arts and literature over the past decade are now part of this growing, happy family.

Conseil de l’Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec Compagnes and Compagnons are recommended by the Conseil de l’Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec, a jury that evaluates nominations received in response to an annual call for candidates. The recommendations are ratified by the CALQ’s board of directors. This year, the jury was made up of Anne-Marie Blouin, Michel Dallaire, Karla Etienne, Monique Giroux, Pierre Thibault and Louise Warren. About the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, official partner of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec An ally to artists, a driver of the cultural economy, and a springboard for organizations and entrepreneurs, the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture is a financial cooperative with deep roots in the community. For the past 30 years, it has been supporting artists, artisans and self-employed workers in their personal and professional projects, offering cultural businesses and organizations financial services adapted to their needs and participating in the socioeconomic development of the cultural milieu by supporting structuring efforts and projects. The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec: at the heart of culture for 30 years For the past 30 years, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) has been investing in the imagination and celebrating the success of those who create memorable works, shape Québec’s cultural identity and make it shine. With a view to equitable, sustainable artistic development, the CALQ supports creation, experimentation, and production in the arts and literature in all regions of Québec and promotes dissemination in Québec, Canada and abroad. The CALQ would like to thank the Caisse Desjardins de la Culture, main partner, and Le Devoir, media partner, for their invaluable cooperation. — Twitter — Appendix Biographies of luminaries 2024 Hélène DORION Author, publisher, columnist and critic, Hélène Dorion has spun a body of work between Québec City and Montréal, the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships, literature and philosophy, Québec and European journals, poetry, novels and essays, music and the visual arts, literary concerts, song and opera. She has received prestigious awards in Québec and abroad, including the Prix Athanase-David for her body of works, which have been