The Philanthropic Passport: Supporting Contemporary Art at the Heart of Manif d’art

Why a Philanthropic Passport?

Behind every major contemporary art event lies a reality that is rarely visible to the public.
While exhibitions, openings, and artistic encounters appear vibrant and effortless, they are supported by a fragile balance—one increasingly challenged by rising production costs and shrinking public funding.

Manif d’art has been an internationally recognized biennial for over 20 years. Each edition brings together more than 40 partner venues and artists from Québec, Canada, and abroad. Our ambition continues to grow, even as resources become more constrained.

Behind the artworks is a deeply committed team driven by a shared conviction: art must remain accessible, bold, and alive. Like many cultural organizations, Manif d’art is asked to do more with less—without compromising artistic integrity.

It is in this context that we are launching the Philanthropic Passport.

“The Philanthropic Passport is a simple, concrete, and meaningful way for the public to get involved with us. Supporting Manif d’art means supporting artists, teams, and an entire cultural ecosystem that continues to create despite an increasingly challenging economic climate,” emphasizes Claude Bélanger, Executive and Artistic Director of Manif d’art.

What is the Philanthropic Passport?

The Philanthropic Passport is a tangible way to support contemporary creation while enjoying a privileged experience at the heart of the Biennale.

Only 50 Philanthropic Passports are available for Manif d’art 12 – Briser la glace / Splitting Ice.

By purchasing a Philanthropic Passport, you directly contribute to the realization of the Biennale and help sustain a vibrant cultural ecosystem in Québec.

What does the Philanthropic Passport include?

• Unlimited access to the central exhibition

• Recognition as a Philanthropist of the edition

• Your name listed on the Manif d’art website, within the central exhibition, and in the official catalogue

• Invitations to events and special activities throughout the Biennale

This contribution is both symbolic and concrete: it supports artists, production teams, and the long-term sustainability of contemporary art in Québec.

Why your support matters

Producing large-scale contemporary art events requires vision, care, and significant resources.
Your support helps ensure that Manif d’art can continue to offer ambitious, accessible, and meaningful artistic experiences to a wide public.

Supporting Manif d’art means supporting artists, creative teams, and a cultural ecosystem that is deeply human, inclusive, and forward-looking.

Thank you for standing with us.

Presented by the Faculty of Planning, Architecture, Art and Design of Université Laval, this award honors an emerging artist from the Quebec City region with less than seven years of professional practice.

The 2025 finalists have distinguished themselves through remarkable exhibitions that demonstrate boldness, originality, and a unique artistic voice:

Videre Award – Creation in Visual Arts

Presented by Manif d’art, this award recognizes an artist with seven or more years of practice, whose recent work stood out during the 2024–2025 season for its excellence and originality.

The finalists are:

Videre Award – Recognition in Visual Arts

Presented by Manif d’art, this award honors the career of an artist with over 20 years of practice, who has made an exceptional contribution to the development and influence of visual arts in Quebec City.

The recipient will be announced on November 7, 2025 — stay tuned!

About the Videre Awards

Created in 1993, the Videre Awards in Visual Arts aim to recognize and celebrate the creativity of artists from the Quebec City region.

Awarded following a call for submissions and a jury selection of peers, they reflect the diversity, rigor, and vitality of the local contemporary art community.

The Latin word videre means “to see” — a nod to the act of perception and the power of artistic vision.