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Courtesy
In 1986, Chantal Caron founded École de danse Chantal Caron in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, motivated by the desire to make dance accessible in Quebec’s regions and to democratize contemporary dance. Twenty years later, she created her company, Fleuve | Espace danse and developed a choreography and film practice rooted in outdoor performance, inspired by the magnificence of the St. Lawrence River and the fragility of its ecosystems. In 2018, she was appointed a member of the Order of Canada for her artistic creations showcasing the natural heritage and for her contribution to the development of the next generation of dancers. Since 2014, her short dance films have been selected by more than 100 international film festivals, winning numerous prestigious awards. Chantal’s commitment to the environment and to her community earned her the title of a St. Lawrence River Ambassador for the David Suzuki Foundation as well as that of Artist of the Year - Chaudière-Appalaches, bestowed by the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec in 2023. In March 2025, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
JURY NOTES
This year, the jury wished to honour a true force of nature by awarding the ÉTINCELLE | PIERRE-PAUL SAVOIE award to Chantal Caron.
Driven by creative audacity, Chantal Caron takes dance outside its walls and brings it into the heart of her environment. She establishes a direct connection with the audience, transforming nature into a stage, and dance into an exchange with the world. This artistic approach of rare integrity makes her a pioneer of site-specific dance in Quebec. Thanks to her short dance films, she has gained international renown while maintaining a strong connection to her community and her surroundings.
Set on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, her works constitute a spark of humanism, a powerful reflection of our times and our environmental concerns. They are pertinent, authentic reminders of the power of art to truly serve as a bridge between human beings and nature.
It is for these values of commitment, integrity, and generosity, intrinsically linked to the ÉTINCELLE | PIERRE-PAUL SAVOIE Award, that the selection committee has chosen to pay tribute to Chantal Caron’s brilliant career.
Marie-Eve Dion - photo
