Montreal came together, on September 16, to raise money for the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) Foundation at the eagerly anticipated MAC Ball. Some 700 guests from the arts and business sectors attended what is one of the most popular and closely watched events of the year, and a net profit of $510 000 was raised for the MAC Foundation.
Orchestrated by Josée Noiseux, Chair of the Ball Organizing Committee, and staged by 45 DEGREES, the event planning and special projects arm of Cirque du Soleil, the exclusive event was inspired by George Orwell’s 1984. Guests were invited to step into a world of surveillance and deprivation of liberties that highlights how crucial it still is to defend those liberties on a daily basis. In addition, guests had the chance to participate in the Ball’s famous auction, made possible thanks to the generous artists who donated works to raise money for the Foundation.
“It is still through art that our society’s values are expressed; it stirs up emotions and makes us think, question things and see the reality of the world around us. I am greatly pleased to champion this cause at this year’s MAC Ball, which features the theme ‘Liberties.’ Masterminded by the incredible creative team at 45 DEGREES, the theme is a reminder of how important it is to live in an open and inclusive society.” – Josée Noiseux, Chair of the Ball Organizing Committee
A major financial impact
Every year, the MAC Ball, the Foundation’s main source of funding, sells out months in advance. The standout event marking the start of a new cultural year and its prominent guests help create a strong community for the MAC while building a network of patrons committed to local culture. With the 2017 MAC Ball edition, it is close to 3,5 million dollars that were raised over the last seven balls. The event allows the Foundation to contribute financially and practically to the MAC’s activities. This important contribution is used, most notably, to support the MAC’s educational activities, enrich the MAC’s Collection, extend the reach of contemporary Quebec artists and bring some of today’s leading international artists to Montreal.
Supporting Québec producers and designers and an eco-friendly move
Since it is a major event, it was important for the MAC Ball to support Québec producers, suppliers and designers. As such, the evening’s caterer, Marc-André : Le traiteur, offers high-end, contemporary, yet accessible food showcasing local talent. Abstaining from using any processed products, the chef is uncompromising when it comes to taste, quality, product and his creative process. His numerous local suppliers include la Ferme de la Petite Nation, which supplied the Cerf de Boileau, and Lirode, which supplied wild products of Quebec. The bluefin tuna served at the event was sourced from sustainable fisheries in Gaspésie. The pastries were created by Patrice Pâtissier.
The MAC Ball is known for its glamorous red carpet where all the latest trends are displayed. Many of this year’s Ball attendees chose Quebec designers, such as Frédéric Joncas, UNTTLD (from designers José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger), Xavier Laruelle, DUY and Denis Gagnon.
The MAC Ball took a decidedly eco-friendly turn this year, namely by being held at TOHU, where every space, every experience is steeped in environmental consciousness. Indeed, the TOHU pavilion is green not only in colour, but also in practice, thanks to its LEED OR (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. To achieve this certification, strict environmental standards and requirements must be adhered to during the construction of a building and sustained through its management. TOHU obtained the certification through to the required principles and practices, making it one of the first Canadian projects to attain this level of ecological performance.
Committed volunteers
Organizing such a successful event every year would naturally be impossible without crucial help from our precious partners and the Organizing Committee that help strengthen the MAC’s philanthropic tradition and build a new community to support the museum. Putting the undeniable prestige and glamour of the event aside, the MAC Ball finds its true purpose in the generosity and commitment of the Organizing Committee’s members who give their time, talent and energy to the cause. This year’s event was co-chaired by: France Margaret Bélanger, Executive Vice President, Commercial and Corporate Affairs, Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club, Bell Centre and Evenko; Yanick Blanchard, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, National Bank; and Mitch Garber, Chairman of the Board, Cirque du Soleil.
An event by 45 DEGREES
This year the MAC Foundation once again entrusted the task of surprising its guests to 45 DEGREES, the event planning and special projects arm of Cirque du Soleil. With its creative expertise and world-renowned talent in planning events, 45 DEGREES took on the challenge of creating a custom-designed Ball for the Montreal community. The theme this year – “Liberties” – invites guests to become immersed in a privileged universe deprived of liberty, inspired by Georges Orwell’s work of 1984, to emphasize how essential it is to defend these freedoms day after day.
“For the second consecutive year, 45 DEGREES has staged the much anticipated MAC Ball, which is a practical way for us to support contemporary art, and also an opportunity to offer the Montréal community a unique experience that reflects our societal issues. Just like last year, the whole team worked hard to rise to the challenge,” said Yasmine Khalil, President of 45 DEGREES.
{ SOURCE: Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, Cirque du Soleil }
