The Government of Canada supports Odace Events's Urban Takeover of Mont-Royal Avenue in Montréal

“Year after year, Odace Events brings together a host of artists and artisans in a variety of public spaces around the city to entertain residents and visitors. The festival features large works of art, original musical performances and photo exhibitions. I am proud that our government is helping provide regional artists an opportunity to take back their city for a few weeks each year once again this summer.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“In this urban experiment, the challenge was to recreate and preserve meaningful human experiences, while respecting physical distancing. Mont-Royal Avenue is known for its large gatherings, artistic flair and citizens’s proximity with local artists.”

– Claude Rainville, Executive Director, Société de développement de l’avenue du Mont-Royal

• Odace Événements designs and hosts urban arts and cultural events. It encourages interaction between the public and artists. Its various initiatives help encourage civic participation, ensure that cultural life in the neighbourhood is driven by the community and that the Plateau-Mont-Royal is bustling.

• The project will run until the fall, allowing Montrealers to rediscover a 2.5 km fully redeveloped pedestrian stretch on Mont-Royal Avenue. The programming includes: a giant fresco depicted in 32 paintings; two large publicly accessible works of art; eight sites developed by local design firms for citizens to wander or rest; an outdoor exhibition with 50 large-format photos; an illuminated aerial art installation; a soundtrack created specifically for the avenue by three deejays; a mapping and outdoor-projection activity; and pop-up musical performances on building balconies along Mont-Royal Avenue.

• The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program supports activities designed for the public that celebrate local historical heritage along with local artists and artisans. The program offers local artists, artisans, heritage performers and specialists more opportunities to engage in their communities through festivals, events and a variety of other projects.

• The Government of Canada recently launched a $500-million Emergency Support Fund as temporary assistance to help relieve the financial pressures facing cultural, heritage and sporting organizations resulting from major losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will help the organizations affected retain jobs and maintain operations.

Associated links

• Odace Événements
• Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
• COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations

For more information (media only), please contact:

Camille Gagné-Raynauld
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
camille.gagne@canada.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca