About

Annual artistic event created on the edge of the Festival TransAmériques (FTA), the OFFTA is a festival dedicated to avant-garde creation in live art. It aims to scout, throughout the year, the local artistic landscape in order to put forward creators whose practice leads new trends in theatre, dance and performance. The OFFTA bases its identity on an artistic direction that encourages strong and singular approaches, emerging practices and experimentation.

Following the disappearance of the Festival international de nouvelle danse (FIND) and the Nouvelle Scène section of the Festival de Théâtre des Amériques1, a large part of the artistic community was left without a platform; the idea of the OFFTA consequently emerged.

It is with vision and determination that five young theatre artists (Jasmine Catudal, Stephanie Capistran-Lalonde, Johanne Haberlin, Emmanuelle Kirouac-Sanche and Jacques Laroche) organized the first edition. From May 23rd to June 7th, 2007, seven plays were presented in five different venues. The various acts of support from the community and the numerous positive reactions proved the importance of an “OFF” in the cultural landscape of Montreal.

The following year and for subsequent editions, the festival’s artistic committee became pluridisciplinary by integrating members from the fields of dance, visual arts and contemporary practices. With the numerous project proposals and undeniable media support, the festival acquired a solid reputation among the public and the artistic community. The OFFTA rapidly became an essential showcase for the national and international exposure of local artists. An impressive number of renowned artists presented their work in the context of the festival, such as Mani Soleymanlou, Félix-Antoine Boutin, Philippe Boutin, Maxime Carbonneau, Sarah Berthiaume, L’eau du bain, Jacob Wren, Jacques Poulin-Denis, Adam Kinner, Mélanie Demers, Étienne Lepage, Frédérick Gravel, Nicolas Cantin, Emmanuel Schwartz, Sylvie Cotton, Production Porte-Parole and Nadège Grebmeier-Forget.

Again and again, the OFFTA aspires to decompartmentalise contemporary art practices along with their respective audiences. In keeping with its vision of disciplinary encounters, the OFFTA produces and presents hybrid events which challenge established live art practices and question modes of representation, as well as facilitate participation, dialogue and cooperation.

The OFFTA is a structuring platform for young Montreal artists that creates, produces and presents their work. The festival offers residencies of research and creation as well as dramaturgic support for several of the selected projects. It gives access to professional means of production and communications to all the artists of the program, and act as a first link between young artists and national and international presenters who are in Montreal at this time of year. With these levers, the OFFTA festival aims to amplify the strong voices of its generation.

Locations and access

1. Café SAT*
6, pl. du Marché
Saint-Laurent Station

2. Édifice Wilder – Espace danse, Espace vert*
1435, rue De Bleury #101
Place-des-Arts Station – Bleury exit

3. La Livrerie – Librairie Café*
1376, rue Ontario E.
Papineau and Beaudry Stations

4. Librairie Un livre à soi*
1575, avenue Laurier E.
Laurier Station

5. Livart
3980, rue Saint-Denis
Sherbrooke Station

6. Parbleux
5425, av. Casgrain #200
Rosemont, Laurier Station

7. Place de la Paix, Quartier des spectacles*
boul. Saint-Laurent & pl. du Marché
Saint-Laurent Station

8. FTA headquarters*
175, av. du Président-Kennedy
Place-des-Arts Station – UQAM exit

9. Théâtre Aux Écuries, L’Arène*
7285, rue Chabot
Fabre Station

10. Théâtre Denise-Pelletier, Fred-Barry*
4353, rue Sainte-Catherine E.
Pie-IX Station

11. Théâtre Prospero, Salle intime
1371, rue Ontario Est
Papineau, Beaudry Station

* Locations accessible to people in wheelchairs or with reduced mobility

The spaces where LA SERRE carries out its activities are located on unceded indigenous territories. Named Tiohtià:ke by the Kanien’kehá:ka nation and Mooniyang by the Anishinaabe nation, the island on which we operate is a gathering place for many native and non-native communities. In our work, it’s our responsibility to maintain the vitality of our bond to the territories as well as our relationship with the various communities.

Eco-responsible festival

We are sensitive to various societal issues, including the importance of developing eco-responsible practices. This is why we encourage festival-goers to be mindful and prioritize responsible modes of transportation(for example: walking, biking, bike-sharing, public transit, carpooling, car-sharing). The OFFTA team is actively working to minimize the ecological footprint of this event.

Grants

Announced at the end of the festival, the OFFTA awards grants to artists whose contribution nourishes the vitality of the live arts scene.

Awarded to an artist or group for an audacious practice that fosters new perspectives. Recipients will be selected by the OFFTA’s programming committee.

Awarded to an artist or group of artists who strongly stand out through a practice that successfully merges languages, materials, techniques, forms or artistic processes of various kinds. The grant is awarded by a committee composed of the Recto-Verso team, producer of the Mois Multi festival, and festival curator Emile Beauchemin.

Offered thanks to the support of solidarity pass donors, this prize will allow an artist or group of artists who presented a Lab during this year’s edition to benefit from a 2-week residency at LA SERRE – arts vivants in 2023-2024. This grant is awarded by the LA SERRE – arts vivants team.

Support live art

Making a donation

How to support the artists

It is with great gratitude that we thank the festival-goers and donors that support emerging  artists. A donation to LA SERRE – arts vivants allows the organization to pursue its mission long-term, by accompanying daring artists in the development of their practice in a sustainable way.

More specifically:

  • A spectator who purchases a solidarity pass actively participates in making the festival more financially accessible.
  • Every $1,000 donated to LA SERRE allows the organization to offer an artist a full week of studio residency and ongoing support.
  • Donors are what sustain the grants that are provided to artists at LA SERRE and OFFTA.

Interested in supporting emerging live art?

-> Get your solidarity pass
-> Make a donation

Thank you for your support!

For more information
Maude-Hélène Brouard
Box office and private funding manager
mhbrouard@laserre.ca

Calls

OFFTA 2024
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Deadline: November, 5th 2023 – 11:59PM

The OFFTA, an annual artistic event on the fringes of the Festival TransAmériques (FTA), is announcing a call for proposals for its 18th edition scheduled for May/June 2024. OFFTA provides a platform for artists to share performances that captivate festivalgoers and pioneer new artistic frontiers. The supported works challenge, transform, and defy preconceptions. OFFTA offers emerging artists a stage to showcase their diversity, contributing to the evolution of established models.

OFFTA reaffirms its commitment to historically underrepresented voices and marginalized identities. We are dedicated to facilitating an inclusive selection process. If you encounter accessibility obstacles while submitting your application, feel free to seek assistance from LA SERRE, which will be available to support you.

We are seeking two distinct types of projects:

  • Completed Performances: We invite artists to submit finished works ready for presentation. The creative processes should be finalized. These performances will be showcased under optimal technical conditions to enhance their impact. OFFTA ensures a minimum fee of CAD $1,400 for the complete series of presentations. The final amount will depend on team size and the number of performances. If your project is on track to be completed by June 2024, if you have planned technical residencies and work-in-progress presentations, and if you believe it will be fully developed by Spring 2024, this category is suitable for your submission.
  • Developing Laboratories (compensation details to be announced): Projects in the developmental phase have the opportunity to be presented before an encouraging audience of festival attendees, fellow artists, and industry professionals. These initial stages of work, in the form of open studios or trials, could be integrated into grouped programs, studio settings, or as precursors to completed projects, whether in a physical or virtual setting. Minimal technical requirements are necessary. This category offers a chance for testing, experimenting, and sharing your creative approach, while benefiting from support and interaction within the present community. For instance, if you aim to present a work-in-progress in an open studio context, if set design and lighting are yet to be finalized, and if your project will be halfway completed by Spring 2024, we encourage you to apply in this category.

By adopting this approach, we underscore the pioneering and daring role of OFFTA while facilitating connections between emerging projects and curious festival attendees.

We invite proposals of diverse forms: unconventional projects that defy norms, premieres, revivals, early stages of creation, indoor or outdoor site-specific performances, remote or online showcases, conferences, and more.

This call specifically targets Canadian projects. However, please note that travel and accommodation expenses to Mooniyang/Montreal/Tio’tia:ke are not covered by OFFTA.

The project selection process will be overseen by a committee of peers convened by Artistic Director Claudel Doucet. This committee will prioritize projects that exhibit:

  • Transformative experiences, marking significant advancements in the practice of participating artists and collaborators,
  • Audacity and innovation,
  • Interdisciplinary exploration or unique approaches to creation,
  • The use of collaborative methodologies and respectful dialogue protocols,
  • Relevance and commitment of artistic practices to communities or contemporary realities,
  • Feasibility of integration within the festival’s mission and resources,
  • A diversity of artistic forms, realities, and cultures represented.

Complete the form before November 5th, 2023, at 11:59 PM – the online form will be online in September.

Make sure your application includes the following elements:

  • Project Description:
    In 750 words (maximum) or in the form of a short video/sound recording (5 minutes), provide an introduction to your artistic approach and your project.
    *Supported formats: pdf; jpg; links to online video broadcasting platforms.
  • We invite you to highlight, for example:
    – The origins of your approach: What foundations does it stem from?
    – An explanation of where you are in your creative process: What stages have already been completed and what remains to finalize your creative project?
    – The themes and/or techniques that run through your work: What thematic and/or concrete materials are you working with
    – How you envision the interaction with the audience: What type of experience do you aim to evoke? How does this take shape in concrete terms?
    -Your philosophy of artistic creation and its processes, particularly with this project: Where does its relevance and/or meaning lie?
    -Contextualization of this project’s presence at OFFTA: How would this platform be advantageous for you? What do you wish to test, experience, and share there?
    – Support (financial, institutional, etc.) that you already have for this project, if applicable.
    – Any other information you consider essential for understanding your project!
  • Visual material: photos and videos of the project (for videos, provide a YouTube or Vimeo link; if the excerpt exceeds 5 minutes, include viewing notes and specify which parts to watch).
  • Brief artist bios and a short history of the company (if applicable).
  • Preliminary technical specifications (rider), including: stage/venue report; dimensions of the stage area; dance floor and visual space (white or black box); use of projections, microphones, lighting effects, instruments and/or live camera, set elements, etc
  • If your project involves text, please attach a synopsis or an excerpt of up to 5 pages.
  • One project per submission (no double bill)
  • The form must be completed before November 5th, 2023, at 11:59 PM
  • Only complete applications will be accepted
  • Only applications from artists or companies based in Canada will be accepted
  • The direction and selection committee reserve the right not to comment on their decisions
  • Decisions will be communicated by the end of January 2024

CALL FOR OFFTA 2024
Online form

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