Internationally renowned Canadian painter Louis Comtois (1945-1990) was best known for his abstract work. His work was featured in exhibitions held in Canada, France and the United States between 1968 and 1990.

The Prix Louis Comtois was created in 1991 by the Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC). The award is jointly managed with the city, and its aim is to support and promote the work and quality of an artist who has distinguished himself or herself on Montréal’s contemporary art scene in the previous 15 years.

The award includes:

• A $7,500 cash prize for the winner.
• A budget of $2,500 to promote and stage a solo exhibition in Montréal. The exhibition must be held within 36 months of the presentation of the award to the winner.
• The acquisition, by the city, of one of the winner’s works, for the municipal collection. For acquisition purposes, works of art that are either very large, pose conservation challenges, or are not compatible with the annual budget envelope may not be retained.

To be eligible, mid-career professional artists must:

• Have more than 10 years of professional experience.
• Work in the contemporary art field.
• Have participated in an exhibition in a recognized distribution venue located in the territory of Montréal since October 2022.
• Live in or occupy a creative space located within Montréal city limits.

All submissions must include:

• The completed submission form.
• Up to 20 images (maximum of 1 MB per image, JPEG format).
• An artistic statement (maximum 500 words).
• The artist’s curriculum vitae.
• Optional: Up to two video works, each no more than five minutes long. If the video exceeds five minutes in length, it will automatically be deleted and will not be presented to the jury

Submissions must be filed in PDF format.

The submission must be filed by the artist or the gallery representing them.

Submissions must be filed online. Applicants can access the form, view the contest regulations, and file their submissions online. An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent to the email address used to submit the file.

Submissions must be filed by no later than September 25, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Applications will be reviewed by a five-member jury representing the visual arts community. Jury members will be selected for their expertise in connection with various contemporary art disciplines and related artistic trends.

This award is presented in the fall.

Learn more about the last edition.

• Prix Pierre-Ayot et Prix Louis-Comtois : édition 2025 (in French)

• Leisure (2025)
• Yann Pocreau (2024)
• Nelson Henricks (2023)
• karen elaine spencer (2022)
• Nadia Myre (2021)
• Chih-Chien Wang (2020)
• Milutin Gubash (2019)
• Cynthia Girard-Renard (2018)
• Sophie Jodoin (2017)
• Aude Moreau (2016)
• Nicolas Baier (2015)
• Patrick Bernatchez (2014)
• Manon Labrecque (2013)
• Jean-Pierre Gauthier (2012)
• Marie-Claude Bouthillier (2011)
• Valérie Blass (2010)
• Daniel Olson (2009)