This major fundraising campaign aims to raise six million dollars over five years. These donations will allow the school to pursue its educational mission according to the high-quality standards to which it has always aspired, to offer state-of-the-art facilities and to build a new studio dedicated to research and innovation. The funds raised will also help to set up a brand-new circus arts initiation program for schools in Quebec and Canada, aimed at democratizing the practice and ensuring a greater pipeline of circus artists.

In addition to the generous donation, Stéphane Lefebvre has also agreed to chair the campaign board made up of committed volunteers. He will be supported by:

Anthony Amiel – President – Corbeil Électroménagers

Michael Fortier – Vice Chairman – RBC Capitals Markets

Norman John Hebert – President and CEO – Groupe Park Avenue

Francois Lecavalier – Member of the Advisory Board – UNSC Power

Karl Tabbakh – Associate director, Québec region – McCarthy Tétrault

“We are very proud to support the training and development of new emerging circus artists from Quebec and around the world. We are convinced that this contribution will act as a lever for the recruitment of new students, research and innovation in the field of circus arts, in addition to ensuring the conservation and enhancement of the heritage, the history and the living memory of this art. With its reputation and international influence, the NCS is a first-level partner for the Cirque Soleil Entertainment Group, and we are very proud to be able to contribute to its development year after year,” added Stéphane Lefebvre, President et CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

“We are very proud of the relationship of trust and collaboration that our two organizations have maintained since the very beginning. We welcome this exceptional contribution from Cirque du Soleil with tremendous gratitude. With this gesture, he reiterates the importance of our institution for the health and advancement of our ecosystem and supports our ambition to elevate the NCS into a global hub for teaching, research and innovation in the circus arts. The campaign announced today carries this vision and will contribute to the realization of the aspirations of the School,” Stated Éric Langlois, Executive Director of the National Circus School.

An finally Anthony Amiel, President of the National Circus School Foundation said that “the entire Foundation team devotes time and energy to supporting the National Circus School in maintaining its position as an international leader and as a professional training institution for circus arts, as a research center for innovation and transfer of knowledge and as a place of conservation for the heritage of this art. The major campaign we are embarking on will allow the NCS to remain an important player in the development and evolution of circus arts.”