Montréal’s nomination as World Book Capital by UNESCO for one year as of April 23, 2005, confirms the importance given to books in Montréal, as well as the city’s vitality and energy. In addition to devoting nearly two per cent of its expenditures to its library network, the city is taking an active role, and has been doing so for the last forty years, in acknowledging outstanding authors and works by annually presenting the Grand Prix du livre de Montréal, which honours excellence in creative writing and features a recently published work.
The city is also active in promoting crafts. In conjunction with the Conseil des métiers d'art du Québec, the city annually presents the Prix François-Houdé, which rewards and highlights the excellence of new products being created in Montréal’s craft industry and promotes the works of young artisans.
In addition, in partnership with the Association des galeries d'art contemporain (AGAC), the city created the Pierre-Ayot Award in 1996, which honours and highlights excellence in new visual art creations by rewarding an up-and-coming artist, and promotes his/her work by acknowledging the efforts of distributors who support young artists who are just starting out.
Created by the AGAC in 1991 and managed in conjunction with the city, the Louis-Comtois Award, acknowledges an artist midway in his or her career and honours the quality of his or her work in the field of contemporary art in Montréal.
