In the early 1990s, the vast majority of Acadian professional artists worked alone. These artists had
few means of conveying their concerns and expectations to governmental and paragovernmental
institutions, the media and the general public. Moreover, their demands for better conditions for the
creation, dissemination and distribution of their works deserved, and still deserve, support.
To promote artists from the four Atlantic provinces, the Association acadienne des artistes
professionnel.le.s du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) created the Gala des Éloizes in 1998. The Gala is
unique not only in Atlantic Canada, but in the country as a whole, due to its multidisciplinary nature.
A prestigious recognition event, the Gala celebrates the dynamism, quality and originality of the
work of professional artists from the four corners of Acadie. Prizes are awarded in each of the
artistic disciplines: Artist of the Year in Visual Arts, Artist of the Year in Media Arts, Artist of the Year
in Dance, Artist of the Year in Literature, Artist of the Year in Music, Artist of the Year in Theatre.
Éloizes awards are also presented in three other categories: Discovery of the Year, Artist Most
Distinguished Outside Acadie, and a Tribute Award.
Other categories have since been added to this list. These awards are presented to individuals
representing media, businesses and organizations working to advance the arts. The categories
include Support for the Arts, Support for Artistic Production and Event of the Year.
In 2007, the Gala des Éloizes was transformed into an event that extends over several days, enabling
the AAAPNB to promote the finalist artists at the Soirée des Éloizes, as well as allowing the general
public to discover the finalist artists through a wide range of public activities.
You can find the complete program here (French only) or on les Éloizes’ Facebook page (event
descriptions in English and French).
