Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

In a significant boost for the arts and cultural scene in the Outaouais region, the Conseil des
arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) and its partners announced an investment of $1,195,500
as part of a new Territorial Partnership Agreement. The agreement, which runs from 2024 to
2027, aims to support artistic and literary projects that connect local communities with culture,
marking an exciting development for the region’s creative landscape.

This investment, which represents a $444,750 increase from the previous agreement, is
designed to enhance the Outaouais Territorial Partnership Program. The program will finance
creation, production, and dissemination projects, with the goal of fostering deeper ties between
art and the community. The funds will be distributed over the next three years, ensuring
sustained support for local artists, writers, and organizations.

“This agreement is excellent news for the region!” said Mathieu Lacombe, Quebec’s Minister of
Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Outaouais region. “The renewal of
this partnership will allow numerous artistic projects to come to life, enriching the cultural
offerings for the people of Outaouais.”

The initiative brings together a coalition of government and regional bodies, including the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the MRCs of Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Papineau,
Pontiac, La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, the City of Gatineau, and Culture Outaouais. Each partner
contributed to the agreement to ensure a wide-reaching impact across the entire region.|

Promoting Cultural Vitality and Regional Growth
Andrée Laforest, Quebec’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, stressed the broader implications of the
investment, stating, “Our government’s involvement through the Regional and Rural Fund is
helping to democratize access to the arts for citizens of the Outaouais. This agreement
connects communities with unique creative projects that will enhance the region’s appeal.”

Benoit Lauzon, President of the Conférence des préfets de l’Outaouais, highlighted the
importance of culture in territorial development, noting that the investment is crucial for the
region’s creators, artists and artisans, whose work contributes to the vibrancy of the community.
CALQ’s Interim President and CEO, Véronique Fontaine, celebrated the new agreement as a
milestone. “For 30 years, CALQ has been supporting regional realities, ensuring art is
accessible throughout Quebec,” she stated. “This agreement is a perfect birthday gift for CALQ,
and I am grateful to all partners for their commitment to fostering local culture.”

A call for projects has been launched for artists, professional writers, and arts organizations in
the Outaouais region. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals to the CALQ ​
by January 16, 2025. The new program provides support in various areas, including creation,
production, mobility, and dissemination.

Culture Outaouais will also provide technical support for artists and organizations looking to
submit proposals. To facilitate the application process, information sessions will be held on
November 4 and November 5, catering to both individual artists and organizations.

Clara Lagacé, Co-President of Culture Outaouais, expressed enthusiasm for the potential of the
new agreement. “The financial boost of this program is a real asset for the region. The previous
agreement supported 46 projects, and this renewal will undoubtedly foster even more
collaborations between artists, writers, and cultural organizations, driving creativity and
community engagement across Outaouais.”

Photo: Culture Outaouais, along with Robert Bussière, Mathieu Lacombe, Ville de Gatineau,
Municipalité de L’Ange-Gardien, Mathieu Lévesque, Culture et Communications Québec,
Conférence des Préfets de l’Outaouais, Devenirs corps, Transistor Média, and the Conseil des
arts et des lettres du Québec, celebrated the launch of the $1.2 million Territorial Partnership
Agreement to support cultural projects in the Outaouais region. (TF) Photo courtesy of Culture
Outaouais