Montrealers are excited about the 375th: more than 300 projects submitted for neighbourhood celebrations in 2017

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 29, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary is pleased to announce that more than 300 projects were submitted as part of the call for neighbourhood projects that ended this past Friday. Given the number of projects submitted—all from non-profit organizations—Montrealers have proven beyond a doubt that they are very excited about the celebrations. All projects submitted will be evaluated according to the same rigorous selection process by selection committees set up in each borough. The selection process will last until next spring.

"Organizations from Montréal's various boroughs answered the call to show us their creativity. Their proposals are festive, bring people together and are rooted in their community. Although a number of subjects were put forward, we were pleased to see that many were inspired by the history of their neighbourhood. In some cases, the selection committees will have a hard time choosing," said Gilbert Rozon, Commissioner for Celebrations.

"There is palpable excitement for Montréal's 375th celebrations. If we add these projects to the ones already submitted during the large-scale call for projects, that's over 1,000 projects to celebrate our city. These two initiatives will allow us to offer a balanced program that features both major events and local activities," added Rozon.

A rigorous selection process

• The selection criteria. The project must:
  • take an original approach to the editorial line "Building bridges"
  • be innovative, creative, designed especially for celebrating the 375th in the borough concerned and not fall within the organization's usual programming
  • instill pride in citizens, maximize socioeconomic spin-offs for the community, leave a tangible or intangible legacy beyond 2017 and increase Montréal's visibility
  • be open to the general public, bring people together and encourage the participation of borough residents
  • be feasible (cost, production calendar, skill, experience, adequate resources and financial resources of the organization)

• A rigorous 4-step selection process:

1. The borough administration validates eligibility
2. The selection committee evaluates projects and provides recommendations
3. The Society for Montréal's 375th approves recommendations
4. The borough council accepts recommendations

Highlights:

• More than 300 proposals were submitted to the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary
• Bidders came Montréal's 19 boroughs
• 5 mobilization meetings held city-wide from the end of August to the beginning of October. More than 350 people took part in these information sessions and creative workshops
• The evening, "2 minutes, 1 mic, your project" was held on October 14, during which 15 organization representatives presented their project to a jury in order to obtain feedback in real time
• More than 1,600 online registrations to obtain the program and access the project submission form
• Cultural projects that touch on many sectors: arts, sports, history, new technologies, the environment and more

Initiated by Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary and managed by the Ville de Montréal and its 19 boroughs, the call for neighbourhood projects aims to celebrate the city's history and cultural vitality on a local level, all across the city. Projects will be chosen by local selection committees comprised of representatives of the borough's administration, the arts and cultural communities, the business community and citizens.

A budget divided evenly between boroughs
The total budget for the neighbourhood call for projects is more than $4M. It is divided equally between the 19 boroughs. The median amount is $209,000. In each borough, at least 75% of available funds will be used to support projects from eligible non-profit organizations, and a maximum of 25% may be used to fund a project implemented by the borough itself.

About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the 2017 celebrations. With a focus on promoting Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst to carry out its mandate: mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage funding, devise quality programming and ensure visibility of the celebrations. It does not look after the legacy, which falls under the responsibility of different public authorities. The Society is supported by the Ville de Montréal and the Gouvernement du Québec. For more information: 375mtl.com

For detailed information about the neighbourhood call for projects: http://375mtl.com/batir-programmation-quartiers.

SOURCE Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal

Anne Dongois, 514-826-2050, [email protected], Source: Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary, twitter.com/375Mtl, instagram.com/375mtl, facebook.com/375mtl, pinterest.com/375mtl