CIRCA Pôle National Cirque

What CIRCA Pôle National Cirque does

CIRCA Pôle National Cirque (legally Association Circa) is a French non-profit cultural association founded in 1988 in Auch, Gers, operating as one of 13 nationally-certified Pôles Nationaux Cirque since 2022. The organization runs the annual Festival Circa in October (~20 contemporary circus productions), a year-round Saison Culturelle from November to June (multidisciplinary programming), and artist residency programs hosting approximately 90 artistic teams annually. Its core asset is the CIRC (Centre d'Innovation et de Recherche Circassien), a purpose-built 480m² facility on the former Caserne Espagne site featuring a Salle Bernard Turin rehearsal space with 11m aerial-work ceiling height, the 650-seat Le Dôme permanent big top, and 6 artist accommodation units.

The business model combines multiple revenue streams: ticket sales for individual performances and "parcours" package deals (5+ shows or 3+ for under-24s), venue rental of CIRC facilities to external companies, public subsidies from six tiers of French government (Ministry of Culture, DRAC Occitanie, Région Occitanie, Conseil Départemental du Gers, Ville d'Auch, Grand Auch Cœur de Gascogne), bar/catering services for residencies and events, and festival merchandise sales. Customer segments span school groups, families, professional circus companies seeking residencies and co-productions, amateur practitioners, and socially-excluded populations through outreach programs. Distribution is primarily direct through the Themisweb online ticketing platform, phone reservations, in-person box offices at multiple Auch venues, and a territorial network across the Gers department.

Strategic positioning rests on regulatory certification as a Pôle National Cirque, ecosystem partnerships within the CIRC-INO international production/diffusion network (alongside La Grainerie, Esacto'Lido, La Verrerie since 2025), and 38-year institutional relationships with FFEC, FEDEC, CNAC, and Académie Fratellini. The organization employs 17-18 permanent staff supplemented by intermittent workers and ~15+ volunteer commissions, particularly during festival periods. Recent strategic emphasis includes eco-responsibility (Événement Détonnant Niveau 2 certification in 2025), international artist development, and educational outreach via Pass Culture integration.

Name

CIRCA Pôle National Cirque

Legal name

Association Circa

Website

https://circa.auch.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CIRCA Pôle National Cirque is a French non-profit national circus center in Auch, operating the annual Festival Circa, year-round Saison Culturelle programming, and artist residencies from its purpose-built CIRC facility, serving audiences, schools, and circus companies across the Gers department and France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts — Circus Arts Center

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH), Arts & Culture Community Festivals (Multidisciplinary Arts Weeks) (MPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Circus arts center
• Performing arts venue
• Circus festival programming
• Artist residency services
• Cultural education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Auch

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for seasonal performances (November-June) and the annual festival (October). Individual tickets and package deals ('parcours') for 5+ shows or 3+ shows for under-24s are offered.
2. Venue Rental: Rental of CIRC facilities including rehearsal spaces, accommodation units, chapiteaux, and performance venues to external artistic companies and organizations.
3. Public Subsidies: Operating support from public institutions including Ministry of Culture, DRAC Occitanie, Région Occitanie, Conseil Départemental du Gers, Ville d'Auch, and Grand Auch Cœur de Gascogne.
4. Bar and Catering Services: On-site bar service during performances and events, plus catering for artistic residencies and festival activities.
5. Festival Boutique: Sale of festival merchandise including t-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, local products, and books in partnership with local Librairie Les Petits Papiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CIRCA operates as a national circus center delivering contemporary circus programming through three main channels: the annual Festival Circa each October featuring ~20 productions, a year-round Saison Culturelle (November-June) of multidisciplinary performances, and Résidences de Création at the CIRC facility hosting ~20 artistic teams annually. Supporting offerings include educational outreach (PEAC programs, La Classe au CIRC), venue rentals, and community engagement activities targeting schools, families, and disadvantaged populations across the Gers department.

Product overview

CIRCA Pôle National Cirque operates as a multi-faceted performing arts organization offering a unified portfolio of services centered on contemporary circus arts. The core offerings include the annual Festival du Cirque Actuel (showcasing ~20 circus productions), the Saison Culturelle (year-round multidisciplinary programming from November-June), and Résidences de Création (artist residencies at the CIRC venue). Supporting services include Soutien à la Création (coproduction and artistic support), Actions Culturelles (educational programs and community outreach), and access to Le CIRC venue facility. The organization functions as a national circus center (Pôle National Cirque) with 17-18 permanent staff, hosting approximately 90 artistic teams annually for creation and diffusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CIRC (Centre d'Innovation et de Recherche Circassien): The physical facility housing offices, rehearsal spaces, accommodations, and the Dome performance space.

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grainerie – Scène conventionnée à BalmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partner within CIRC-INO (Pôle International de Production et de Diffusion), coordinating international circus production and diffusion alongside other national poles. Joint programming and artist support network.
• École supérieure Esacto'Lido (Toulouse)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partner within CIRC-INO network; Esacto'Lido is the superior school of circus arts in Toulouse. Partnership includes hosting circus trials, masterclasses, and festival programming collaboration.
• La Verrerie – Pôle national cirque d'AlèscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner within CIRC-INO international production and diffusion pole. Joint artist support and touring coordination for circus companies.
• Conseil Départemental du GerscoreOthersGers department council; key funder for regional cultural infrastructure and circus arts development.
• Région OccitaniecoreOthersRegional council providing major operational funding for Circa and festival activities.
• Swedish Arts CouncilminorOthersFunder providing support for Below Zero company's performance of In Praise of Shadows at Festival 2026.
• OARA (Office Artistique de la Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine)minorOthersRegional arts office providing support for Cirque sans noms performance Pain d'chien.
• ONDA (Office National de Diffusion Artistique)minorOthersNational agency supporting touring of Compagnie d'un Ours / Olivier Debelhoir (La vie de ma mère) and CirkVOST (TRAXXx).
• Institut Ramon LlullminorOthersCatalan cultural institution supporting Àkri performance by Cia Manel Rosés.
• FEDEC (Fédération Européenne des Écoles de Cirque)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean federation of circus schools; CIRCLE program brings 8 international FEDEC schools to Festival; 38-year partnership with Circa Festival.
• FFEC (Fédération Française des Écoles de Cirque)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench federation of circus schools; 38-year partnership; Spectacles des écoles – Plateaux Nationaux program showcasing young amateur practitioners; FREC regional federation also partnered.
• CNAC (Centre National des Arts du Cirque)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational center for circus arts; Écritures croisées program with 40th and 39th CNAC promotions; 40th anniversary documentary screened at Festival 2026; historic partnership since 1989.
• Académie FratellinicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious Paris circus academy; students perform Mauvais joueurs (public space creation) at Festival 2026; partnership for emerging artist showcase.
• Pass CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench cultural initiative for youth; Circa participates in 'part collective' (collective booking) allowing teachers to fund arts education activities for classes 4eme through Terminale.
• ArtcenaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational center for circus arts, street theater, and puppetry; co-organizes 'Circ'à penser' professional discussions; provides professional resources and networking.
• DRAC OccitaniecoreOthersRegional directorate of Ministry of Culture; primary public funder supporting Circa's operations, festival, and programming.
• Ville d'AuchcoreOthersCity of Auch; founding partner and host municipality; provides venue infrastructure and operational support.
• Grand Auch Cœur de GascognecoreOthersGreater Auch metropolitan area; supports territorial development and cultural programming across the agglomeration.
• CIRC-INO PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPôle International de Production et de Diffusion coordinating circus artist projection across Europe and internationally through creation, transmission, and diffusion. Partners: Grainerie, Esacto'Lido, La Verrerie, and Circa.
• Cie BasingaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner for Cirque Queer; artistic collaboration on cultural projects with social institutions (IME Mathalin).
• La Grainerie (in CIRC-INO context)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue within CIRC-INO network; co-presents international productions including Àkri by Cia Manel Rosés.
• ImpulsARTeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of Battle All Skills 2vs2 Cirque & Danse at Festival 2026.
• Covoiturage (CoviEvent)minorOthersCarpooling platform partner for Festival 2026, facilitating sustainable transportation to Auch.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• La Verrerie – Pôle National Cirque d'Alès: One of the 13 Pôles Nationaux Cirque and a CIRC-INO partner alongside Circa. Both operate as national circus centers with venue, residency, and festival programming in France, sharing direct co-production and touring coordination within the same international diffusion pole.
• La Grainerie – Scène conventionnée à Balma: Toulouse-area circus creation and diffusion venue and CIRC-INO partner. Mirrors Circa's residency-plus-diffusion model with a similar audience-development brief, making it a direct operational peer in the same regional ecosystem.
• La Brèche – Pôle National Cirque (Cherbourg): A Pôle National Cirque serving as a national circus creation and diffusion center. Comparable in mission, scale, and funding structure to Circa; both target the same national touring and creation circuits.
• Agora – Pôle National Cirque (Boulazac): A Pôle National Cirque delivering circus creation, residencies, and festival programming. Operates the same national-certification business model as Circa and competes for the same touring productions and subsidy pools.
• La Cascade – Pôle National Cirque (Bourg-Saint-Andéol): A Pôle National Cirque focused on circus arts creation and mediation. Comparable to Circa in its integration of creation, training, and community outreach within a national funding framework.

Broad incumbents

• CNAC – Centre National des Arts du Cirque (Châlons-en-Champagne): France's national higher-education institution for circus arts and Circa's historic partner. While not a direct venue competitor, CNAC anchors the training pipeline that Circa depends on for emerging-artist programming and co-productions.
• Académie Fratellini (Saint-Denis, Paris): Premier Parisian circus school and Circa partner. Comparable on the artist-development dimension and overlaps with Circa for emerging-artist programming, though anchored in the Paris metropolitan market.
• Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain (Paris): International circus competition/festival in Paris. Operates a comparable annual circus showcase model but in a far larger urban market with broader international visibility than Circa's festival.

Emerging players

• École Supérieure Esacto'Lido (Toulouse): Toulouse-based higher-education circus school and CIRC-INO partner. Comparable to Circa on the training/creation interface, with a more focused educational mandate rather than full festival-presenter scope.
• Le Channel – Scène Nationale de Calais: A French scène nationale with multidisciplinary programming including circus. Comparable as a publicly funded performing arts presenter with strong community-outreach orientation, though broader in scope than Circa's circus specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CIRCA Pôle National Cirque