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Alain Simard and André Ménard: new members of the Ordre des arts des lettres du Québec!
28-05-2018
It is with great pleasure that we learn Alain Simard and André Ménard have a new honour to add to their list of achievements and are now members of the Ordre des arts des lettres du Québec. The two founders of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and Équipe Spectra, a key player in Quebec culture, will receive the prestigious title of Compagnon des arts et des lettres du Québec.
This distinction will be awarded today by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec to recognize their outstanding contribution to the development, diffusion and promotion of Quebec’s arts and literature.
It goes without saying that all members of Équipe Spectra are proud of this well-deserved nomination and extend their sincere congratulations to the two winners.
The Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec is an honorary distinction established in 2015 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and presented to individuals whose exemplary achievements contribute to the artistic and literary growth of Québec. Following an annual call for nominations, an independent committee recommends recipients to the Board of Directors.
Alain Simard — Creator and developer of the major urban festival formula, one that has made Montréal and the Place des Festivals famous; manager of several big names of Quebec chanson and a renowned producer of shows, records and television, Alain Simard has promoted hundreds of artistic companies and artists of all disciplines, all over the world. Founder of Équipe Spectra, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Francos de Montréal, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE and the Nuit Blanche, as well as co-founder of Audiogram and ARTV, he notably co-produced the major works of LaLaLa Human Steps, Marie Chouinard, Robert Lepage, Cirque Éloize, the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Cirque du Soleil, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the comedy series RBO (Rock et Belles Oreilles).
André Ménard — A key figure in the production of international shows and events, André Ménard shaped Québec’s cultural landscape by co-founding with Alain Simard, Équipe Spectra and the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Renowned for his love and respect for artists, as well as his dedicated involvement in theatres such as Métropolis (now MTELUS) and Spectrum, he has helped newcomers and superstars with the same generosity