⇒ BOURSE DE CRÉATION KESAR 2025

The Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke (MBAS), in partnership with the KESAR Society of the Rahimaly-Mamode family, is proud to launch the second call for applications for the KESAR Creation Grant (Bourse de création KESAR), a bold initiative dedicated to professional visual artists from visible minorities.

From 2025 to 2027, one artist will be awarded a $12,000 grant each year, following a call for applications and a rigorous jury selection. In 2028, the MBAS will host a collective exhibition featuring the works of the three recipients. Prior to this major showcase, the artists will participate in a creative residency at the Jardins Racine Art Centre — a space designed to foster inspiration, collaboration, and the emergence of a shared narrative. Together, they will weave the thread of this exhibition, reflecting their distinct worlds and shared vision.

Professional visual artists from visible minorities wishing to apply for this second edition must do so by December 1, 2025, by sending their application digitally to: direction@mbas.qc.ca. For larger files, we kindly ask that you use a file transfer service such as WeTransfer.

Note: The term “visible minority” is used to recognize racialized individuals who face systemic barriers related to perceived appearance or origin.

Selection Criteria:

Applicants must meet the definition of a professional artist according to the four criteria outlined in the Act Respecting the Professional Status of Artists in the Visual Arts, Arts and Crafts and Literature, and Their Contracts with Presenters (L.R.Q., c.S-32.01):

• Self-identify as a professional artist;
• Create works on their own behalf;
• Have their works exhibited, produced, published, publicly presented, or marketed by a presenter;
• Have received peer recognition as a professional artist through awards, honors, grants, jury nominations, selection in exhibitions, or similar acknowledgments.

Additional criteria:

• Originality, relevance, and uniqueness of the artistic approach;
• Must be considered a visible minority;
• Must have at least permanent residency in Canada;
• Must primarily work in the province of Quebec.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit:

• A recent CV (max 3 pages);
• A biography and artist statement;
  Artists should describe how their identities and influences have shaped their artistic journey over time.
• A project description;
  Artists are invited to explain what they wish to develop with the grant and the ideas that inspire them.
• A visual portfolio of 10–15 high-quality images or short videos;
• A descriptive list of the works (title, date, materials, dimensions, photo credits), and a narrative description of selected pieces;
• Press coverage (optional).

Thanks to the support of KESAR and the Rahimaly-Mamode family, MBAS will provide technical and administrative assistance and pay artist fees according to CARFAC standards during the 2028 collective exhibition.

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About the KESAR Creation Grant
The KESAR Creation Grant – by the Rahimaly-Mamode Family aims to uplift artists with stories similar to their own. The goal is to amplify the voices of visible minority artists in Quebec. The four donors wish to maintain close contact with the artists and contribute to their growth. Through this grant, they hope to see more people like themselves represented in the arts.

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About the Rahimaly-Mamode Family
Chemika Mamode and Patrick Rahimaly have been models of integration since arriving in East Sherbrooke in 1994. Originally from Madagascar, the couple embodies the concept of pluralism central to their community and philosophy.

Their journey began in community health, with Chemika serving generations as a pharmacist and business owner for 28 years. Their involvement expanded into social and community development and local commercial initiatives. Passionate about the arts, they contribute to the Festival du Cinéma du Monde, the Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke, and the Festival des Traditions du Monde, where Patrick has served as president since 2016.

Together with their children Kevan and Sarah, they founded KESAR, a company focused on urban projects that promote residential, commercial, and cultural diversity in East Sherbrooke. Their vision transcends disciplines and social groups, redefining urban engagement.

They are the heart of what Sherbrooke is becoming — present everywhere, touching everything, and sharing their light with the entire community.

⇒ PARCOURS PHOTO SHERBROOKE 2026-2027

Traces of Time

In his influential book Camera Lucida (1980), French philosopher Roland Barthes describes photography as an imprint of reality: the image is a trace of time, evidence of what “has been.” Photography thus becomes an index of the past, an imprint deeply rooted in temporality.

Photography captures countless traces and transformations: those found within our natural and urban environments, our social relationships, the people who pass through our lives, and the subtle and significant changes that shape our societies and experiences.

For the next edition of the Sherbrooke Photo Trail (Parcours Photo Sherbrooke), photographers are invited to explore these traces of time revealed through the photographic image. How does photography bear witness to the passage of time? What do these traces tell us about the past and the future? And how do emerging image-manipulation technologies blur these traces, altering our perception of reality and of the stories about time that images convey?

The City of Sherbrooke has commissioned the Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke to curate the next edition of the Sherbrooke Photo Trail, in partnership with the Jacques-Cartier Arts and Culture Committee.

Submission Requirements

Interested applicants must submit a dossier* including:

• A current curriculum vitae (maximum three pages);
• A brief artist statement outlining their artistic practice;
• A visual portfolio of 10 photographs (high-quality images, clearly identified and numbered);
• An image list including the artist’s name, title, date, and medium for each work;
• Press clippings or media coverage (optional).

The submission package must be assembled into a single PDF document. Applications submitted in formats other than PDF will not be considered. Images may be embedded within the document or submitted separately.

Applications must be submitted by email only no later than November 20, 2026. For larger files, applicants are encouraged to use a file-sharing platform such as WeTransfer.

* Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the selection committee.

** No additional honorarium will be provided to photographers residing outside Sherbrooke to offset travel expenses.

Timeline

Application deadline: November 20, 2026
Exhibition opening: September 2027

Objectives of the 2027-2028 Sherbrooke Photo Trail

• To increase public access to art and culture;
• To enhance the experience of visitors using the promenade;
• To spark curiosity and contribute to Sherbrooke’s cultural tourism appeal;
• To showcase the work of regional photographers and established professional artists;
• To encourage a diversity of artistic approaches and photographic practices;
• To foster critical reflection on contemporary issues through artistic expression.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed according to:

• Relevance and originality of the proposed theme or subject matter, including its connection to contemporary issues;
• Aesthetic quality and artistic merit;
• The artist’s professional standing, recognition, and experience.

Submission

Artists wishing to apply must submit their digital application package no later than November 20, 2026, to: vie.culturelle@sherbrooke.ca

For larger files, applicants are encouraged to use a file-sharing service such as WeTransfer.
Attention: Please note that incomplete files will not be reviewed by the committee.

⇒ REGULAR PROGRAMMING

The call for submissions FOR REGULAR PROGRAMMING is closed for 2026 and 2027.