Solutions for the future of festivals in the Quartier des spectacles

Quartier des Spectacles, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, 2022

publication
October 28th, 2024
update
January 14th, 2025
read time
5 minutes

Press release | For immediate release

Montreal, October 28, 2024 – On the occasion of the Forum on Performing Arts and Culture organized by the Chamber of Commerce of the Metropolitan Montreal, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership is pleased to share its initial ideas for solutions aimed at ensuring the sustainability of festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles. Three major recommendations for redefining the festival funding model and experimenting with new sources of financing have been identified. These will require the participation of the business community and spectators, and collaboration alongside festivals and funders for the future of festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles.

Alerted by the deteriorating situation of festivals and the numerous appeals made by several of them since then, the Partnership has been working since last winter on the evolution of festival business models. Supported in this process by MCE Conseils, the Partnership has brought together a large number of players from the ecosystem: festivals, Culture Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, Ville de Montréal, the governments of Quebec and Canada, as well as experts in sponsorship, philanthropy and taxation.

 

THREE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: EFFORTS BY ALL PLAYERS

Three concrete solutions have been identified to ensure the sustainability and vitality of festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles. These actions aim to reduce festival costs, diversify revenues and create international appeal for the events and for Montreal. These solutions require concerted efforts from all players in the ecosystem. Identified beneficiaries and contributors to these initiatives include the festivals themselves, but also spectators, governments, the business community and visiting tourists.

1- Mutualize operations - related to logistics, safety, equipment optimization, and ecological transition that can be shared by festivals.

2- Mobilize audiences - both spectators and the business community, by developing a concerted communications campaign to build a culture of support for festivals and solicit voluntary contributions from spectators.

3- Deploy a Performance Support Fund - for festivals and events to develop premium products and increase tourism spinoffs.

Pilot projects for these actions will be developed as early as fall 2024, including the Fonds announced by Tourisme Montréal to support the festival community in its initiatives aimed at tourists. The Partnership is proud of its leadership in bringing together all the players from downtown Montreal: Tourisme Montréal, Chamber of Commerce of the Metropolitan Montreal, the SDC Montréal centre-ville and Ville de Montréal to develop initiatives that will perpetuate festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles.

 

QUOTES

“The Quartier des Spectacles is the place to be for culture and entertainment in Montreal, with its generous and accessible free offering supported by festivals and must remain so. We are very proud to have rallied voices and representatives around a constructive approach, in collaboration with key financial partners and downtown stakeholders. The solutions put forward involve all stakeholders, including the business community. This collective commitment will be essential to ensure the future of festivals and keep the heart of the metropolis culturally vibrant for all and attractive for visitors and tourists.” Mr. Éric Lefebvre, executive director of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership.

“The Quartier des Spectacles festivals and their free admission contribute to the cultural vitality, solidarity and spirit of Montreal. They make downtown more dynamic and attractive for Montrealers, merchants, property owners and major corporations and head offices, and add to the metropolis' international reputation. Maintaining and developing our festivals will require the increased contribution of all players - economic, commercial and tourist, city and governmental, as well as citizens and spectators in solidarity.” Mr. Raymond Bachand, Chairman of the Expert Committee, Norton Rose.

 

About the Quartier des Spectacles and the Partnership

The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart. It offers the greatest concentration and diversity of cultural venues in North America and hosts 52 major musical, dance, theatrical, film, literary and circus events, inviting Montrealers, festivalgoers and tourists alike to experience the excitement of festivals in the public squares and halls of the Quartier des Spectacles. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.

The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.

More information: quartierdesspectacles.com

 

- 30 -
 

 

PHOTOS
 

Download link.
Please include full captions and credits.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Communications Mingotwo
Mélanie Mingotaud
melanie@mingo2.ca
(514) 923-6772

 

SOURCE
 

Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Marie Lamoureux
marie.lamoureux@quartierdesspectacles.com
(514) 923-6772

Culturally vibrant

Contact