SHERBROOKE: RIDEAU, the independent network of performing arts presenters (Réseau indépendant des diffuseurs d’événements artistiques unis), announced that Luce Couture would be receiving the 2013 Prix RIDEAU Reconnaissance, chosen by a group of her peers. Luce Couture, Director of Centennial Theatre at Bishop’s University (Sherbrooke), received the news before some 300 performing arts professionals gathered for the launch of the 26th edition of Bourse RIDEAU. Luce Couture was actually presented her award on Thursday, February 21, at the Capitole de Québec, during the Soirée des prix RIDEAU, the closing ceremonies for the 26th Bourse RIDEAU.

The RIDEAU board of directors chose to honour Ms Couture in this way based on her extraordinary contribution to the advancement and expansion in the field of performing arts presentation. Ms. Couture has led the team at Centennial Theatre for the past 25 years. Operating a venue where both linguistic communities evolve, under her leadership, Centennial Theatre offers a multi-disciplinary program of shows with a special focus on dance and music. Programming at the cutting edge in the discovery of new musical talents, her work is also at the avant-garde in showcasing new artists in the field of dance.

Considered by her peers to be among the best presenters in the industry, with a keen eye for recognizing new talent, her artistic curiosity, her openness to the world and her capacity to build bridges between Quebec and the international market, specifically Asia, Luce Couture is a most deserving laureate of this recognition by the national network of show presenters.

In February 2012, Ms. Couture and the Centre culturel de l’Université de Sherbrooke jointly received the “prix RIDEAU/XM Canada Partenariat” for the Sherbrooke Danse Series (On danse à Sherbrooke). In 2011, she was recognized for her contribution to the cultural enrichment of the population of the Borough of Lennnoxville with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Culture. In 2006, in recognition of her excellent and audacious 2004-2005 program, she was awarded an Opus Prize by the Quebec Council of Music.