Montreal, October 01, 2024 - It is with great enthusiasm that we announce Mara Dupas as the winner of the Élan Madeleine Féquière Grant for 2024. Selected from among seven projects in our call for submissions, Mara stands out for her talent and artistic commitment.
Currently a student at the Académie du Ballet Métropolitain and the École de Danse Contemporaine de Montréal, from which she graduated in 2022, Mara collaborates with various artists while developing her own choreographic practice. In particular, she explores exchanges between Afro-Creole dances and contemporary dance, drawing inspiration from Afro-descendant voices and literature.
Mara's work has been presented across the city at major events such as Danses Buissonnières, the Vue sur la relève festival, OFFTA and Phénoména. Mara is also an active writer, having published several texts with Éditions Bruno Doucey, in Zinc magazine, and in Moveo magazine, launched in 2024.
Founded in 2023, the mission of the Élan Madeleine Féquière Grant is to support projects led by young emerging black women, aged 18 to 35, in the arts and cultural entrepreneurship sector. Thanks to the generosity of Madeleine Féquière, a businesswoman with a passion for the arts, the Élan Madeleine Féquière Grant offers financial support combined with fund-raising coaching, for a total of $2,000.
This Grant embodies the spirit of daring and innovation, affirming the Montreal Afro-Canadian Cultural Centre (CCAM) commitment to the development of talent within black communities.
We warmly congratulate Mara Dupas on her outstanding achievements and look forward to discovering her next creations within the vibrant cultural and artistic community.
A socio-financing campaign has been launched in collaboration with LaRuche to support this beautiful project: https://www.laruchequebec.com/fr/projets/d0857b29-0382-42ca-a3ea-c990372720c6
Quotes :
"Receiving the Élan Madeleine Féquière Grant is a real honor and a huge opportunity. It's not only recognition of my work, but also additional motivation to continue exploring and sharing my creative vision. I am deeply grateful to the CCAM and Madeleine Féquière for their support of the next generation of artists. This Grant brings me closer to my aspirations and reinforces my commitment to contributing to the growth of Afrodescendant cultures."
Mara Dupas, artist and winner of the Élan Madeleine Féquière 2024 grant
"For the second year running, I'm amazed by the talent and ambition of the young people who apply for the Élan Grant. In 2024, we have the pleasure of celebrating Mara Dupas, a remarkable young woman whose originality and determination promise a bright future. I'm convinced that this Grant will help her reach her full potential and represent the starting point for a career full of success and inspiration!"
Madeleine Féquière, patron of the arts
"The talent and creativity we see emerging in young people like Mara Dupas are an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The Élan Madeleine Féquière Grant is much more than a simple prize; it represents a springboard towards a future where the artistic genius of young people from our communities can flourish to the full. We're proud to encourage the next generation of artists, and we're convinced that Mara will leave her mark on the cultural industry.
Allen Alexandre, Executive Director of CCAM