FEQ Awards winners
Since 2014, L’Espoir FEQ presented by Gouvernement du Québec rewards a new generation of promising artists.
Salomé Leclerc, Pierre Kwenders, Dead Obies, Matt Holubowski, Hubert Lenoir, Les Louanges, TEKE::TEKE, Ariane Roy, Rau_Ze and comment debord have carried this title so far.
The Espoir FEQ Award winner is determined by a comittee of professionals from the music industry. The selection criterias are the exceptional nature of the artistic proposal, scenic performance quality, potential international influence and the general enthousiasm raised by the artist.
L’Espoir FEQ 2026 will be awarded on July 14.
2026 Finalists
L’Espoir FEQ is awarded :
- A FEQ Bursary of $20,000.
- A performance opportunity at upcoming editions of the Festival d’été de Québec and the Rose Festival in Toulouse
- The two other nominees are awarded a $2,500 bursary
The 2026 selection committee is composed of Ariane Roy, singer-songwriter; Michel Côté, former Director of Programming at the Grand Théâtre de Québec; Tanya Beaumont, arts journalist at Radio-Canada; and, from the Festival d’été de Québec, programmers Arnaud Cordier and Olivier Lépine.
2026 Nominees: Alphonse Bisaillon – Kamilou – La Sécurité
Presented by the Rose Festival in Toulouse, this award spotlights an emerging artist from its lineup by offering them a showcase performance on stage at the Festival d’été de Québec.
This initiative is part of an artistic exchange between the two festivals, encouraging the circulation of talent between Québec and Toulouse.
2026 Recipient : Milhan
This national program spotlights emerging French-language artists from across Canada.
In addition to providing visibility, mentorship, and development opportunities, it gives finalists the chance to perform on stage at the Festival d’été de Québec and compete for a grand prize that includes an international showcase at the MaMA Music & Convention in Paris.
2026 Finalists : Grand Eugène – Hawa B – N NAO
Since 1989, the Miroir de la Renommée awards illustrates the will to highlight the contribution of music monuments.
This prize pays homage to an artist exceptional career.
Over the years, Léo Ferré, Luc Plamondon, Gilles Vigneault, Robert Charlebois, Charles Aznavour, Francis Cabrel, Renée Martel, Daniel Bélanger, Jane Birkin, Les Cowboys Fringants, Michel Rivard and Marjo amongst other, have been awarded this prize.
The Miroir de la Renommée Award will be presented during FEQ 2026.
