Viola-Léger Foundation Prize

The Viola-Léger Foundation Prize, valued at $5,000, enables an Acadian artist to carry out a creative project. It is awarded to emerging artists who have been working professionally in theatre for at least one year and no more than ten years, across all areas of experience. This prize is awarded thanks to the generous support of the Viola-Léger Foundation.

Eligibility criteria

Have worked professionally in the theatre sector for at least one year and for no more than ten years in total, across all experience.

Be primarily rooted in the Canadian Francophone community. By “Canadian Francophonie” we mean the provinces where Francophones are a linguistic minority. For the Viola Léger Prize, the practice must be primarily rooted in the Atlantic provinces.

Applicants may work in all areas of theatre: playwriting, directing, acting, set design, lighting, etc.

Applicants may not submit more than one project per prize. In addition, a person may not win two prizes in the same year.

A person who has received a Foundation Prize of Excellence cannot apply the following year. However, they are eligible again (if they have been working professionally for no more than ten years) two years after receiving an award. This rule does not apply to recipients of the Suzanne‑Cyr Special Prize, who may apply for another award as early as the following year.

If a person wishes to submit an application for a collective project in which other creators are involved in the actual conception of the work, they must include with their application a letter signed by the other creators participating in the project stating their agreement that their colleague may apply as an individual, even though the project is collective.

All candidates who apply for this prize are automatically eligible for the RBC Prize of Excellence – Emerging Artist. This $10,000 prize, which supports a creative or training project, is awarded to an emerging artist or emerging cultural worker whose application stands out among all those received for the regional awards.