Domaine Forget de Charlevoix

What Domaine Forget de Charlevoix does

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix is a nonprofit cultural institution founded in 1978 and headquartered on a 100-acre estate in Saint-Irénée, Quebec, between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie in the Charlevoix region. It operates three integrated lines of activity: the International Music and Dance Academy (22 intensive summer training programs attracting students from 23 countries, with more than 18,000 alumni since inception), the annual International Festival (47th edition in 2025, drawing ~13,000 spectators and ~350 artists across classical, jazz, and dance programming), and a year-round Variety program staged in spring and autumn. Core physical infrastructure includes a 604-seat purpose-built concert hall (inaugurated 1996) with renowned acoustics, an on-site recording studio, multiple event pavilions (Joseph-Rouleau, Paul-Lafleur, Les Basilaires, the renovated Stable), on-site accommodation studios, and the Harmonic Sculpture Garden featuring 25+ monumental works on a free, year-round outdoor museum with an interactive digital self-guided tour. The 2021 acquisition of the Saint-Irénée church expanded teaching and concert capacity.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid of earned and contributed income. Earned revenue comes from ticket sales ($30-$80 per Festival concert, with subscriptions offering up to 25% savings and free admission for children under 16), Academy tuition, venue rentals (September-May), and the Studios d'hébergement. Contributed revenue flows through the Domaine Forget Development Fund, the Jacqueline and Paul Desmarais Scholarship Fund (a $2.7M+ endowment awarding ~$77K annually), the Azrieli Artistic Activities Development Fund, annual benefit luncheons (which raised a record $308K in 2023), and a major $10,369,100 capital grant from the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications in 2024. Distribution is direct: on-site box office, phone reservations, the TicketAcces online ticketing network, and B2B venue rental sales. Customer segments split between young emerging artists (Academy), classical music and cultural tourists (Festival/Variety), corporate and group event organizers (venue rentals), local community and families (free sculpture garden and trails), and a donor base anchored by Power Corporation du Canada, the Azrieli Foundation, and the J.A. DeSève Foundation.

A $13 million capital project (2025-2026) is the largest infrastructure investment in the organization's history, restoring 12 of 14 buildings on the site and including the ongoing renovation of the Studios d'hébergement (until May 2026) and the Église de Saint-Irénée. The 18-member board of directors is led by President Guy Chabot (FCPA, Mallette). Artistic direction transitioned in 2022 with the appointment of Mathieu Lussier to succeed Paul Fortin.

Name

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix

Legal name

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix

Website

https://domaineforget.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix is a Canadian nonprofit cultural institution operating an international music and dance academy, a summer festival, and a heritage arts complex in Quebec, serving young artists from 23 countries, classical music and cultural tourists, corporate event renters, and a major donor base.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts and Cultural Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

Keywords

• Music festival performances
• Performing arts academy
• Concert venue rentals
• Sculpture garden visits
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-Irénée

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales & Subscriptions: Revenue from the International Festival, Variety programming, and Academy concerts. Regular concert tickets range from $30 to $80; subscriptions offer up to 25% savings. Children 15 and under attend free. Free events include Academy concerts, public masterclasses, and church events.
2. Donations & Fundraising: One-time, monthly, and planned gifts directed to the Domaine Forget Development Fund, the Jacqueline and Paul Desmarais Scholarship Fund ($2.7M+ endowment), and the Azrieli Artistic Activities Development Fund. Annual benefit luncheons, cultural raffles, seat-naming programs, and legacy bequests.
3. Government Grants: The 2025-2026 capital project ($13M) is co-funded by the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications ($10,369,100 via the Programme d'aide aux immobilisations) and private donations. Operating grants support Academy and Festival activities.
4. Venue & Facility Rentals: The concert hall (604 seats), Joseph-Rouleau Pavilion, Paul-Lafleur Pavilion, the Stable, the Basilaries, and the Studios complex are available for rental September through May for recording sessions, events, concerts, galas, conferences, and weddings.
5. Accommodation (Studios): On-site Studios d'hébergement provide lodging for Academy students and staff, and are available to tourists and visitors year-round. Located on the heights of Saint-Irénée with views of the St. Lawrence River.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix is a nonprofit cultural institution that operates an International Music and Dance Festival, an International Music and Dance Academy offering intensive summer training programs, and a Harmonic Sculpture Garden across a 100-acre estate in Saint-Irénée, Quebec. Its 604-seat concert hall (inaugurated 1996) and supporting pavilions host performances, Academy concerts, and are rented for corporate events, galas, recordings, and weddings. The organization is funded through ticket sales, subscriptions, philanthropic donations, government grants, and venue rental revenue.

Product overview

Domaine Forget de Charlevoix operates as an integrated cultural arts complex centered around its core offerings: the annual Festival international (47th edition in 2025) featuring music and dance performances, and the Académie internationale de musique et de danse providing intensive summer training programs for young artists. The venue infrastructure includes the acoustically renowned Salle de concert (604 seats), multiple event pavilions (Joseph-Rouleau, Paul-Lafleur, Les Basilaires, Écurie), and the Église de Saint-Irénée serving as a teaching and performance space. Supporting facilities comprise accommodation studios, a recording studio, and 3+ kilometers of walking trails. The Harmonic Sculpture Garden features 25+ monumental works accessible free year-round. Together, these elements create a comprehensive arts destination in the Charlevoix region, combining professional performance venues with educational programming and cultural tourism experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Festival international du Domaine Forget de Charlevoix

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,000+ students trained from 23 countries since 1978
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Palazzetto Bru Zane – Centre de musique romantique françaisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Palazzetto Bru Zane collaborates on the International Festival programming, notably the 'Intrigues et passions' chamber music concert and the Academy's Voice program concert at the Saint-Irénée Church (August 2026), promoting French Romantic music repertoire.
• Orchestre Métropolitain de MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal performs at the International Festival under conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, presenting two programs ('Rêveries' and 'Destinées') in July 2026. These are anchor events of the Festival season.
• Desjardins GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Desjardins Group is a supporting partner appearing on Festival event pages and the sculpture garden interactive visit, providing visibility as a cultural sponsor across Domaine Forget's programming.
• Hydro-QuébecminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Hydro-Québec is a presenting sponsor of International Festival concerts, including the Orchestre Métropolitain 'Rêveries' program and the 'Intrigues et passions' chamber music concert.
• Conservatoire de musique de QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Conservatoire de musique de Québec awards scholarships to selected students who attend Domaine Forget Academy programs, supporting talent development in classical music.
• Conservatoire de musique de MontréalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Conservatoire de musique de Montréal awards one scholarship to a selected student for Domaine Forget Academy programs.
• Les Violons du RoycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Les Violons du Roy, a renowned Quebec chamber orchestra, works with Domaine Forget's Academy students during the chamber orchestra session. Domaine Forget alumni and students benefit from direct mentorship and performance opportunities alongside the ensemble.
• St. Laurent de Charlevoix Parish Council (Fabrique)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The Parish Council transferred ownership of the Saint-Irénée Church to Domaine Forget in May 2021 under conditions including the maintenance of a worship space for the local community and free access for religious services. Domaine Forget repurposed the church as a teaching hall, dance studio, and Festival concert venue.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Festival de Lanaudière: One of Canada's largest classical music festivals, held in Joliette, Quebec. Comparable as a Quebec-based summer classical music festival with educational programming, but distinct in being a touring multi-venue model rather than a single-site residential program.
• Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Banff Centre is a Canadian post-secondary arts and cultural institution in Alberta combining intensive training programs, residencies, and performance festivals on a single mountain campus. Closest comparability to Domaine Forget thanks to its integrated academy + festival + venue model in a rural heritage-tourism setting.
• Music Academy of the West: Santa Barbara-based classical music conservatory and festival combining intensive summer training with public performances. Closely comparable to Domaine Forget's Academy + Festival model, with similar scholarship programs and an international student draw.
• Centre d'arts Orford: Quebec-based classical music academy and festival located in Orford, Quebec. Directly comparable regional peer offering summer music training programs and concerts in a similarly scenic destination setting, drawing from overlapping Quebec audiences and donor networks.

Regional players

• Shaw Festival: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario-based theater festival and presenter. Comparable cultural-tourism business model anchored by a rural Canadian town, similar seasonal economics, and an established training program for emerging artists (the Shaw Guild).
• Théâtre du Capitole: Quebec City-based performing arts venue presenting opera, musical theater, and concerts. Comparable as a Quebec-based performing arts presenter, but operates in an urban setting without the academy or heritage-tourism component.
• Festival de Québec (Festival d'été de Québec): Major Quebec City summer music festival. Comparable as a Quebec-based summer arts event drawing provincial and international audiences, though lacks the academy and integrated venue model.

Broad incumbents

• National Arts Centre (NAC): Canada's federal performing arts venue in Ottawa, presenting music, dance, and theater year-round plus operating the NAC Orchestra. Overlaps with Domaine Forget as a multi-disciplinary performing arts presenter and educator, but at a much larger urban scale with federal backing.
• Stratford Festival: Canada's largest repertory theater festival in Stratford, Ontario, combining performances, training programs, and tourism. Comparable as a destination-based arts presenter with educational programs, though focused on theater rather than music/dance.
• Aspen Music Festival and School: Premier U.S. classical music festival and school in Aspen, Colorado. Comparable as a destination-based academy-and-festival model with international student recruitment, world-class faculty, and a major concert season.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LeDomaineForget
• Facebookfacebook.com/Domaine-Forget-400033360549
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/le-domaine-forget
• Instagraminstagram.com/domaine_forget
• TikToktiktok.com/@domaineforget

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Domaine Forget de Charlevoix