RQD paves the way for a new executive director

> Version française

Montreal, February 24, 2016 – It is with great emotion that the Regroupement québécois de la danse would like to announce that its executive director, Ms. Lorraine Hébert, will be passing on the torch in the fall of 2016, after leading the 500-member association with unwavering dedication for 13 years. RQD has been preparing for this transition for several months, especially since the Master Plan for Professional Dance in Quebec 2011–2021 is reaching an important milestone. Overseeing the transition is a committee of the board of directors made up of RQD president Harold Rhéaume, Lucie Boissinot and Stéphane Labbé. With the assistance of an external consultant, this committee will soon be putting out a call for applicants.

“I’m at peace with my decision, since I’ve given it a lot of thought. That said, I’m not leaving dance—it’s a milieu to which I’m deeply attached. I love working in this field and I still have a lot to offer, but in a different way. RQD and its future executive director can count on a dedicated team and board of directors who are strongly committed to the dance community. Between now and my departure, I will focus on advancing key files—notably conducting a five-year review of the Master Plan and ensuring the ongoing success of this important initiative.”

Two years after taking over the reins at RQD in 2003, Lorraine Hébert orchestrated the Grands Chantiers de la danse professionnelle, a vast and ambitious mobilization and consensus-building initiative in the dance community that was launched in 2007, laying the groundwork for the successful Seconds États généraux de la danse professionnelle du Québec, held in April 2009. In June 2011, Lorraine unveiled the impressive Master Plan for Professional Dance, a document providing a clear synthesis of the realities and ambitions of the dance milieu, as well as a bold vision for the expansion of the discipline in five target areas, with corresponding strategies and actions encompassing all sectors and practices. In addition to penning numerous articles and briefs, and overseeing a variety of studies and publications, Lorraine was successful in obtaining $6 million for dance from the Quebec government in the spring of 2012, allocated to the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) over five years. These funds have started a necessary financial catch-up in the budgetary envelope for dance, and are being used to carry out projects resulting from the Master Plan.

“Lorraine Hébert has made an invaluable contribution to dance in Quebec,” notes RQD president Harold Rhéaume. “Her vision, rigour and devotion to the cause of dance artists and artisans have been exemplary. She can be proud of the legacy she is leaving behind. RQD today is a strong organization with the wind in its sails.”

Lorraine Hébert is a hard-working, principled woman with a deep affection for artists. Over the years, she has put her many skills to work for RQD, in coordination, research and project development, writing, facilitating and teaching. Another important legacy she wishes to leave to the dance community is the Toile-mémoire de la danse au Québec, a project she has nurtured for close to 10 years, due to be unveiled on a digital platform in time for Montreal’s 375th anniversary.

To thank their outgoing executive director for her immense contribution, the RQD team will be holding a recognition evening in the fall. Information about the event will be announced this summer.

> To download the Press Release (PDF)

– 30 –

Source:
Judith Lessard-Bérubé
Communications Manager
514 849-4003, ext. 225 | jlb@quebecdanse.org