Honouring a Lifetime of Philanthropy
Congratulations to Pierre Lassonde!
In recognition of his transformative philanthropy, Pierre Lassonde O.C. G.O.C. is being honoured as the 2023 Edmund C. Bovey Award recipient.
In recognition of their exceptional volunteerism and philanthropy in the arts
Pierre Lassonde’s philanthropic endeavours have had profound and enduring impacts on the arts and education across Canada and the USA.
During his tenure as Chair of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ) from 2005-2016, Mr. Lassonde spearheaded a groundbreaking $110 million fundraising campaign. Thanks to his leadership and generous contributions, including $10 million in funding and $5 million worth of art, the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion now proudly stands as a stunning testament to Canadian art. This architectural gem helped revitalize the institution and received several awards for its design excellence.
As Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts from 2015 to 2020, Mr. Lassonde brought about transformative changes. Through his visionary approach and diligent efforts, the Canada Council experienced a profound renewal, resulting in a remarkable doubling of the budget to $360 million by 2021.
In June 2022, the Pierre Lassonde Family Foundation announced a visionary $25 million donation to the City of Toronto to create a new waterfront public art trail. This donation is the single largest arts-related gift the City has ever received.
Mr. Lassonde’s extensive contributions to the education sector have led to the creation of reputable programs across Canada and the United States. Notable among these are the Pierre Lassonde School of Fine Arts at Mount Allison University, the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University in Toronto, the Lassonde Mining Engineering program at the University of Toronto, and the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and Studios at the University of Utah, with numerous scholarships at Canadian universities.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2002 and promoted to Officer in 2022. He was also appointed as a Grand Officier de l’Ordre national du Québec in 2019.
Here’s what others have to say:
Mr. Lassonde cares deeply about the well-being of the community. His actions reflect his pride in Québec City and his deep attachment to his fellow citizens. This affection extends to the entire Canadian cultural community, which has led him to make significant and visible contributions to the development of the arts and cultural sector in Canada. – Christiane Germain, Chair of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
Pierre Lassonde’s transformational lead gift will establish the first public art destination of its kind in Canada. Situated on the extraordinary site of a new island in Toronto’s harbour, the Lassonde Art Trail is a visionary city-building initiative that will launch a dynamic, free cultural experience as part of the revitalization of the waterfront and its public spaces. – Chloë Catán, Executive Director, Lassonde Art Trail Foundation
Edmund C. Bovey Award Partner:
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Award Recipients!
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