The Chair of the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski, announced the finalists for the 30th Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal.

Each of the nominated organizations had a strong cultural impact in 2014, reflecting the cultural vitality of Montreal. The Conseil’s evaluation committees reviewed the year’s events and selected the following eight finalists for their outstanding achievements.

The winner of Le Grand Prix will be announced on March 26, 2015, each finalist will receive a $5,000 bursary generously offered by Montreal patrons-of-the-arts, while the winning organization will receive the sum of $25,000, as well as an artwork commissioned from a Montreal artist.

Every year since 1985, the Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal has recognized the excellence and outstanding contributions of a Montreal artistic organization. Past winners, all of which have helped to build the city’s creative and innovative culture, include the Festival du nouveau cinéma, Cirque du Soleil and Compagnie Marie Chouinard. The winner is announced at an annual luncheon that brings together the cultural, business and municipal sectors.