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JACQUES PRIMEAU PASSES THE TORCH TO MONIQUE SIMARD

After 15 years serving on the board of directors of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, including the last seven as chair, Jacques Primeau is handing the reins to Monique Simard.

Montreal, September 18, 2019 – After 15 years serving on the board of directors of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, including the last seven as chair, Jacques Primeau is handing the reins to Monique Simard. The appointment of Ms. Simard to a two-year term as the Partnership’s chair was unanimously approved at a board meeting on September 17, 2019.

A member of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership’s board since its inception in 2003, Mr. Primeau has served as chair for the last seven years. A key figure in the cultural industry, adept at rallying stakeholders and an ardent defender and promoter of the Quartier des Spectacles vision, for nearly 20 years he has made major contributions to the emergence and growth of the Quartier. Important achievements on his watch include the drafting and implementation of an action plan to increase the competitiveness and viability of indoor performing-arts venues in the Quartier des Spectacles, the launch of an export program that allows Montreal-made art installations to tour the world, and the creation, five years ago, of a major revitalization project for Place Émilie-Gamelin, better known as Les Jardins Gamelin.

Ms. Simard’s wealth of experience in culture, understanding of collaborative governance and managerial expertise are just some of the qualities that led the board to appoint her to the chair. Known for her dynamism and intelligence, she also has significant experience in the cultural industries and digital distribution.

Quotes

Jacques Primeau
“How far we’ve come since this project’s beginnings in the 2000s! The Quartier des Spectacles is now a reality, solidly supported by the Ville de Montréal, and it’s the pride of Montrealers. I had the good fortune to be in the thick of this economic, social and urban phenomenon that started with a cultural vision. It was a great privilege to see the project launch and flourish. What’s even more wonderful is that the Quartier des Spectacles is now an immense, fertile space for imagination, dreams and new creations. Its future is incredibly bright! I am proud and pleased with what we have built together, and I leave the chair with full confidence that Monique Simard will keep the dream alive.”

Monique Simard
“I am thrilled to accept this appointment, even though Jacques Primeau, one of the Partnership’s founders, will be a hard act to follow. For many years I have admired the core idea behind the Quartier des Spectacles, the district’s remarkable evolution over the years, and the Partnership’s mission. My challenge will be to support the Partnership’s management team, through healthy governance and to give my full cooperation in helping the Partnership flourish.”

Biographies

Monique Simard

A cultural producer and manager, Monique Simard has an impressive track record in culture and telecommunications. She has been a producer at Production Virage (1998-2008), director of the French-language program at the National Film Board of Canada (2008-2013), and president and CEO of SODEC – Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (2014-2018). Since 2018, she has been chair of the board for the Fonds Québécor, chair of the board for cultural hub La Vitrine, and a member of the expert group examining legislation in broadcasting and telecommunications.

Jacques Primeau

An enterprising and unifying visionary, producer and artists’ agent, for more than 30 years Jacques K. Primeau has been a pillar of Quebec’s cultural scene. He is deeply involved in his industry: he has served on the board of the École nationale de l’humour, and is a past president of the Coalition des arts de la scène and ADISQ. During the latter mandate he presented the idea for the Quartier des Spectacles to the Sommet de Montréal 2002. A year later, he was named vice-chair of the board of directors of the new Quartier des Spectacles Partnership. He would serve on the board for 16 years, including seven years as chair.

About the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership

A non-profit organization founded in 2003, with 85 members active in the district.
The board is composed of 21 directors from the cultural, socio-economic (business, tourism, education) and community sectors.
Its mandate is to animate the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, illuminating the Quartier, and promoting the district as an essential cultural destination.

For more information, visit quartierdesspectacles.com

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