A network devoted to innovation, collaboration, and exchange, the IETM naturally gravitates to the cultural nerve centre of the cities where it meets. The cultural hub of Montreal, Place des Arts, is the obvious choice for the site of IETM Montréal 2007, especially as several offerings of Festival TransAmériques will be performed in this unique complex and some of the activities of the meeting. A governmental institution serving all Quebeckers, Place des Arts presents some of the world’s top artists and productions, in five concert halls and theatres: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Théâtre Maisonneuve, Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, the Studio-théâtre, and the Cinquième Salle. The Foyer Jean-Gascon of Théâtre Maisonneuve will be the main meeting point for delegates to IETM Montréal 2007. The lively, sun-filled Esplanade of the Place des Arts will also offer a welcoming space for breaks between activities. Information at: www.pda.qc.ca

The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) -- more precisely, the Faculty of Arts -- is the third partner of IETM Montréal 2007. As both IETM and the university are interested in research and innovation, their alliance will lead to fruitful connections among researchers, teachers, and artists from here and elsewhere. Ideally located beside Place des Arts and very close to the major downtown hotels, UQAM's Pavillon Sherbrooke will be the main venue for the workshops, presentations, and round tables at IETM  Montréal 2007. The restored beaux-arts building blends history with modernity, providing all the necessary equipment for an international-calibre event like this one. Information at: www.uqam.ca and www.arts.uqam.ca

At every annual IETM plenary, an important performance component has allowed delegates to discover artists of the country hosting the event. IETM Montréal 2007’s partnership with Festival TransAmériques is a marvelous opportunity in this sense. A rebirth of the Festival de théâtre des Amériques (1985-2006), the new Festival’s high-calibre international program of theatre and dance performance is ideal fare for IETM participants. Confirmation that new works by Robert Lepage,  Daniel Léveillé, and Carole Nadeau will be presented gives an idea of the quality of the host-country artists featured on the program, details of which will be released March 20. Information at: www.fta.qc.ca