What Écomusée du fier monde does

Écomusée du fier monde is a non-profit community ecomuseum headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, in the heritage 1927 Généreux Bath Art Deco building. Founded in 1980 by neighbourhood residents with UQAM museology students and formally incorporated in 1982, it operates as an accredited museum (since 1996) and functions as Quebec's first urban ecomuseum, with a mission to preserve and interpret the labour and industrial heritage of the Centre-Sud neighbourhood through participatory community engagement.

The core product is the permanent exhibition 'All the Livelong Day! The Joys and Sorrows of Life in a Working-Class Neighbourhood,' complemented by rotating temporary exhibitions (e.g., 'Vers un Québec sans faim!', 'Les Fantastiques', 'Poèmes de verre', 'SKÜLPT 303'), a participatory ecomuseum collection of neighbourhood heritage elements, and a traditional museum collection of objects, photographs, and archival documents. The museum offers guided educational tours ($6/student for groups of 10+), a tiered membership program ($20-$450), publications on Centre-Sud history, accessibility features including LSQ/ASL digital tablet translations, and venue rental of its heritage spaces (capacity 75-200) for corporate events.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid non-profit model combining admissions ($14 adults, $8 students/seniors, $20 families), memberships, annual benefit auctions (~60 works, 50/50 artist-museum split, running since 2001), venue rentals, donation campaigns (including a 2026-2028 $350,000 capital campaign), recurring operating grants from the Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications and Montreal Arts Council, and publications sales. The institution serves a diverse customer base spanning the general public, school groups (elementary through university), marginalized and accessibility-needs communities, local artists, cultural organizations, and corporate event clients.

Name

Écomusée du fier monde

Legal name

Écomusée du fier monde

Website

https://ecomusee.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Écomusée du fier monde is a non-profit community ecomuseum in Montreal's Centre-Sud that preserves and interprets working-class and industrial heritage through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural mediation, serving the public, schools, marginalized communities, artists, and event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission: Revenue from individual and group admissions to exhibitions. Standard rates: Adults $14, Families $20, Students/Seniors/Children $8, Children 6 and under free. Special free admission periods for certain events.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships sold to individuals and corporations providing unlimited exhibition access, vernissage invitations, publications, and partner discounts. Membership tiers: Adult ($30-50), Centre-Sud Resident ($20-35), Student, Senior, Family ($60-110), Corporate ($250-450).
3. Event Venue Rental: Rental of heritage building spaces including entrance hall, exhibition hall, multi-purpose room, and conference room for private events. Capacity: belvedere 75 people, large hall 120 conference/180-200 cocktail.
4. Annual Benefit Auction: Since 2001, annual fundraising auction featuring approximately 60 works of local and national artists. Proceeds split 50/50 between artists and museum. Three works' proceeds shared with local organizations. 2027 auction: virtual April 28-May 12, live May 11.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Major fundraising campaign 2026-2028 targeting $350,000 for cultural mediation activities and heritage building preservation. Planned giving program available.
6. Government Funding: Annual operational contributions from Quebec Ministry of Culture and Communications and Montreal Arts Council. Accredited museum status since 1996.
7. Publications Sales: Sale of publications on Centre-Sud history and heritage. Total 16 publications: 12 available at museum, 3 in bookstores, 5 downloadable.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Écomusée du fier monde operates a community-driven ecomuseum from the historic 1927 Généreux Bath building in Montreal's Centre-Sud neighbourhood, preserving and interpreting working-class and industrial heritage through a permanent exhibition and rotating temporary exhibitions, plus educational and cultural mediation programs for schools and community groups. It also generates revenue and community engagement through membership tiers, an annual benefit auction of ~60 artist works, sales of publications, and rental of its heritage spaces for private corporate and cultural events.

Product overview

Écomusée du fier monde is a history and community museum offering a unified portfolio of exhibitions, educational programs, venue rentals, and cultural events. The core offering centers on its permanent exhibition 'All the Livelong Day! The Joys and Sorrows of Life in a Working-Class Neighbourhood' and rotating temporary exhibitions. Additional offerings include educational outreach programs for schools and community groups, annual benefit auctions featuring local art, event venue rentals of the heritage Généreux Bath building, a membership program with partner benefits, and publications documenting Centre-Sud heritage. The museum also maintains both a traditional museum collection and an ecomuseum collection developed through community participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• All the Livelong Day! The Joys and Sorrows of Life in a Working-Class Neighbourhood (Permanent Exhibition) The Écomusée's permanent exhibition tracing the history of Montreal's Centre-Sud neighbourhood from the mid-19th century, covering industrialization, deindustrialization, community movements, and the history of the Généreux Bath building. Designed for general public visitors, school groups, and community organizations.
• Vers un Québec sans faim! (Travelling Exhibition) Travelling exhibition of posters and artifacts presenting food and nutrition as fundamental human rights, exploring food security and sovereignty through the work of citizen collectives. Produced with CRIP-UQAM and RCCQ.
• Les Fantastiques (Collaborative Exhibition) Collaborative exhibition exploring narrative, self-portraiture, and the urban landscape through books, stamps, and dioramas created by artists of all ages and walks of life.
• Variations sur l'art d'ici (Annual Local Art Exhibition) Annual exhibition showcasing over 60 local artists' pictorial works including paintings, engravings, and drawings representative of contemporary Quebec and Canadian creation.
• SKÜLPT 303 Studio Exhibition Annual exhibition featuring sculptural works in stone by members of SKÜLPT 303 studio, showcasing stone sculpture as both professional and amateur art form.
• Poèmes de verre (Mosaic Festival Exhibition) Mosaic festival exhibition featuring works by a collective of Québécois mosaicists, part of the 6th annual Poèmes de verre festival.
• Event Venue Rental (Location de salle) Rental of the former Généreux Bath heritage building for events including cocktail parties, symposiums, launches, and conferences. Spaces include entrance hall, exhibition hall with old swimming pool and belvedere, multi-purpose room, and conference room, with capacity ranging from 75 to 200 depending on configuration. Corporate event clients and cultural organizations are the primary users.
• Annual Benefit Auction (Encan bénéfice) Annual fundraising auction since 2001 featuring approximately 60 works of art by Quebec and Canadian artists, with proceeds split 50/50 between artists and the museum and a portion of three works' proceeds shared with local organizations such as Archives gaies du Québec, Auberge du cœur Le Tournant, and Sentier Urbain.
• Membership Program Membership program with annual subscription tiers for adults ($30/1 year, $50/2 years), Centre-Sud residents ($20/1 year, $35/2 years), students, seniors, families ($60/1 year, $110/2 years), and corporate members ($250/1 year, $450/2 years), offering unlimited exhibition access, vernissage invitations, publications, and discounts at reciprocal partner institutions (MBAM, McCord-Stewart, Centre canadien d'architecture, etc.).
• Educational and Outreach Programs Guided tours of permanent and temporary exhibitions, history rallies, urban tours, and cultural mediation kits for school groups (elementary through university, including francization), community organizations, and groups with disabilities. Group rates: $6/person for 10+ visitors, $9/person for two activities same day.
• Publications on Centre-Sud Heritage Sale of publications on the history and heritage of the Centre-Sud neighbourhood, including books, exhibition catalogs, and research materials. Distribution includes museum reception, partner bookstores, and downloadable formats.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92.6% sustainable materials used in 2023 exhibition renewal
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• ÉcoscénoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Non-profit accelerating ecological transition through circular economy. Partnered on 2023 permanent exhibition renewal achieving 92.6% sustainable materials. Recipient of the 2024 Ordre du fier monde.
• Écomusée de Fresnes | Grand-Orly Seine BièvreflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Collaboration to develop the concept of an ecomuseum collection. Located in Paris suburbs, this ecomuseum has collected and transmitted heritage of its territory since 1979. Recipient of the 2025 Ordre du fier monde.
• Quebec Ministry of Culture and CommunicationscoreOthersAnnual operational funding contributor to the museum's activities and mission. Key government partner supporting museum accreditation status since 1996.
• Montreal Arts CouncilcoreOthersAnnual operational funding contributor supporting cultural programming and museum activities in Montreal.
• Service aux collectivités de l'UQAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor academic partner since 1980, collaborating on research projects and providing student involvement in museum activities.
• UQAM Faculty of ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2015 offering emerging UQAM artists opportunities to present work in museum spaces. Recipient of the 2025 Ordre du fier monde.
• DiasolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural organization partnering on numerous exhibition projects since 2016. Recipient of the 2016 Ordre du fier monde.
• L'Atelier des lettrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiteracy organization partner since 1999. Recipient of the 2010 Ordre du fier monde. Collaborated on 'La parole est à nous!' exhibition and award-winning education initiatives.
• Centre AfrikaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of annual 'Journées africaines' event and 'Afrika Montréal' exhibition (2014). Recipient of the 2015 Ordre du fier monde.
• D'un œil différentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner of annual event reaching out to people with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder. Recipient of the 2018 Ordre du fier monde.
• Archives gaies du QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization receiving proceeds from sale of one artwork at annual benefit auction as part of mission-aligned community support.
• Auberge du cœur Le TournantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization receiving proceeds from sale of one artwork at annual benefit auction as part of mission-aligned community support.
• Sentier UrbainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization receiving proceeds from sale of one artwork at annual benefit auction as part of mission-aligned community support.
• Centre de recherche en imagerie populaire (CRIP) - UQAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch center collaborated on 'Vers un Québec sans faim!' exhibition creation. Co-producing traveling exhibition for Quebec, Canada (2026-27), and worldwide (2028).
• Regroupement des cuisines collectives du Québec (RCCQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on 'Vers un Québec sans faim!' exhibition about food rights and nutrition as fundamental human rights.
• Au Coup de pouce Centre-SudcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization leading 'Les Fantastiques' collaborative exhibition project on cultural mediation and democratizing access to culture.
• Maison de la Culture Janine-SuttocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner in 'Les Fantastiques' exhibition collaborative project. Part of Montreal's Maisons de la Culture network.
• Centre canadien d'architectureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: free admission for Écomusée members. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• Musée des Beaux-Arts de MontréalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: 15% discount on admission for Écomusée members. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• Musée McCord-StewartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: 50% discount on admission for Écomusée members. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• Cinémathèque québécoiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: 15% discount on regular-price tickets for Écomusée members. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• Espace LibreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: partner rate ($25) for show tickets. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• Usine CminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: 15% discount on show tickets. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network. Also venue space in former Alphonse Raymond plant.
• Théâtre ProsperominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: 15% discount on regular season tickets for Écomusée members. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• Revue EsseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: 15% discount on subscriptions for Écomusée members. Part of reciprocal cultural institution discount network.
• L'Autre MontréalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember benefit: included in draw for pair of tickets for urban discovery tour twice yearly. Part of reciprocal cultural institution network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/ecomuseefiermonde.bsky.social
• YouTubeyoutube.com/Ecomuseedufiermonde
• Facebookfacebook.com/Ecomuseedufiermonde
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C3%A9comus%C3%A9e-du-fier-monde
• Instagraminstagram.com/ecomusee.dufiermonde

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 Écomusée du fier monde