MTL Clowns

SUPPORT US

Fiscal Sponsorship program - Conseil des arts de Montréal

Support the 8th edition of the Montreal Clown Festival and receive a tax receipt for any donation of $25 or more from the Montreal Arts Council.

This fundraising campaign is made possible through the Fiscal Sponsorship Program with the support of the Conseil des arts de Montréal.

“Having been in the clown community for over 40 years, it’s only natural that I advocate for my community, continue to believe in it, and stay involved. As a board member of the Montreal Clown Festival, we are a joyful organization that needs your loooove… come support us! XX”

Dôlorèze Léonard

The 8th edition of the Festival des Clowns de Montréal will take place from April 4 to April 12, 2025. This year, we are focusing on our community to celebrate joy and laughter that clowns bring to our culture and society.

WHY DONATE? WHAT DOES YOUR DONATION DO?

There is no other festival dedicated specifically to this art in Montreal. The festival’s role is therefore of great importance not only to the clown community but also to the circus and theatre communities in Montreal and beyond. This often-overlooked art form holds unparalleled transformative potential: inviting everyone, through laughter and comedy, to become aware of our individual and collective shortcomings and blunders.

Our organization brings the clowning community together, involves other local clown organizations, and offers a space for connection, exchange, and development.

Performance and Awareness: The programming highlights quality clown performances, allowing the public to discover this discipline as a legitimate and inspiring art form.

Training and Experimentation: Clowns need opportunities to test and refine their craft in front of an audience. We provide concrete tools for creation and knowledge-sharing through workshops and thematic discussions.

The 2024 Gala the “Big, Big Deal Cabaret” Photo of Amrita Kaur Dhaliwal by Emelia Hellman. The 2025 Gala Cabaret is on April 4th, 2025 at the Gesù.

To support to the festival, donations can be made via the CAM website thanks to its Parrainage Fiscal program. You will receive a tax receipt and MTL Clowns will receive support through the Arts Council.

On behalf of the MTL Clowns Board of Directors, THANK YOU for helping us, help you, LAUGH!

Board of Directors: Mathilde Balli, Patrick Barsalou, Dôlorèze Léonard, Patrick Léonard, Dominique Marier, Vanessa Rigaux

Board of Directors

Dominique Marier President/Treasurer
Director of Art and Development, Le Gésù
Patrick Barsalou – Vice-President 
Manager, Casting – Artist Contracts, Cirque du Soleil
Mathilde Balli
Marketing and Social Media Specialist, Cirque du Soleil
Dôlorèze Léonard
Professional clown performer
Patrick Léonard
Co-founder & Co-Director, 7 Doigts de la Main
Vanessa Rigaux
Artistic & General Director – The Montréal Clown Festival

Founding Chairwoman
Jennifer Quinn

Festival Staff

Artistic & General Director
Vanessa Rigaux
Production Manager
Chad Dembski
Publiciste & Communications
Victoria Laberge
Artist & Audience Development
Ilana Shecter
Graphic Designer
Solène Lautridou

Photographers
Emelia Hellman & Andrew Miller (2024)
Co-founders
Kendall Savage & Vanessa Rigaux