En Piste

What En Piste does

En Piste is the national association for circus arts in Canada, operating as a non-profit membership organization legally incorporated as Regroupement national des arts du cirque since 1999. Headquartered in downtown Montreal, the organization serves 554+ members spanning individual circus artists and performers, creation and production companies (including marquee names such as Cirque du Soleil, Les 7 doigts, FLIP Fabrique, Cirque Éloize, and Machine de Cirque), training institutions (notably the École nationale de cirque), festivals, and presenters across all Canadian provinces. En Piste's core function is to provide the Canadian circus community with bundled professional services — specialized insurance, CNESST workplace injury protection for Quebec artists, training reimbursement, professional development workshops, a pan-Canadian mentorship program delivered in Moncton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Edmonton, and a national member directory — alongside advocacy on cultural funding policy.

The association's technology footprint is conventional rather than proprietary: a WordPress-based public website with Elementor and WPML for bilingual (French/English) content, supported by CloudFlare CDN and WP Engine hosting, with Mixpanel for analytics. The distinctive platform is the dedicated member portal at app.enpiste.qc.ca, which handles membership applications, committee-reviewed approvals, annual renewals, profile management, and event registration. A public-facing searchable members directory catalogs 554+ professionals with filters by province, discipline, and skills. The organization also produces the annual Circus Agenda publication covering 120+ companies and 85 shows across Canada.

En Piste's business model combines four revenue streams: (1) tiered annual membership subscriptions ranging from $15.75 CAD (employee of member company) to $3,150 CAD (corporate members with 200+ employees), with individuals at $89.25 CAD and university training institutions at $1,239 CAD; (2) training and formation fees ($220 CAD members / $300 CAD non-members for programs such as the pan-Canadian mentorship); (3) government grants from CALQ, MCCQ, CAM, and CAC, which constitute the largest revenue stream and include program-specific funding for Destination cirque and the Front commun pour les arts advocacy coalition; and (4) event-related revenue from 5@Cirque networking evenings and the annual awards ceremony. Distribution is direct via the member portal and in-person at industry events, supported by an 8-person staff team led by General Director Nadia Drouin since 2023.

Name

En Piste

Legal name

Regroupement national des arts du cirque

Website

https://enpiste.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

En Piste is the national non-profit membership association for circus arts in Canada, serving 554+ artists, companies, training institutions, and presenters with bundled professional services, insurance, training, and government advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Association Services

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (71132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Circus, Magic & Variety Shows (THAJAFAH)

Keywords

• Circus arts association
• National member services
• Professional development training
• Arts advocacy funding
• Circus insurance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: En Piste generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees from individual circus professionals, circus companies, training organizations, and associate members. Fees range from $15.75 (employee of member company) to $3,150 (corporate, 200+ employees) for organizations, and $89.25 for individual members. These fees fund the association's operations, programs, and advocacy activities.
2. Training and Formation Fees: Revenue from group training programs, workshops, and customized training sessions offered to members and the broader circus community. Fees for training programs range from $220 for members to $300 for non-members (e.g., the pan-Canadian mentorship program). Also includes professional development workshops on topics such as grant applications, technical rider creation, and dramaturgy.
3. Government Grants and Cultural Funding: En Piste receives significant financial support from government cultural agencies including the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ), the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec (MCCQ), the Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM), and the Canada Council for the Arts (CAC). In 2021, the Quebec government announced unprecedented support of $21.8 million over two years following the pandemic. Government partnerships also fund specific programs such as Destination cirque and the CALQ partnership for the Prix du CALQ.
4. Event Registration and Ticket Revenue: Revenue from paid events such as the 5@Cirque award ceremony (priced event, free admission to award ceremony as noted). The organization also facilitates participation in professional events including the MICC and Montreal Complètement Cirque festival.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

En Piste is the national association for circus arts in Canada, providing membership-based services to circus professionals, companies, training organizations, and festivals. Core services include specialized insurance, CNESST workplace injury protection, professional development training, dissemination programs (Destination cirque), national circus awards (Prix Propulsion, Prix du CALQ), and advocacy for increased cultural funding. The association operates a member portal, a searchable members directory of 554+ circus professionals and organizations, and publishes the national Circus Agenda covering 120+ companies.

Product overview

En Piste operates as a national circus arts association offering a unified platform centered on its membership portal (app.enpiste.qc.ca), through which circus professionals access membership programs, training, member directories, and partner discounts. The core offering spans: membership categories and a searchable members directory (554+ professionals); professional development via Formations et Développement Professionnel; support programs including Destination Cirque touring support, insurance, and CNESST injury protection; publications including the circus agenda and annual reports; and recognition through the Prix du CALQ, Prix Propulsion, and 5@Cirque events. All components feed into the organization's mission of supporting and promoting circus arts across Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership categories including Individual Member (performing artist, creator, trainer, stage personnel, cultural worker, researcher), Corporate Member (circus companies, producers, presenters, festivals by employee count), Training Institution Member, Associate Member, Collaborator Member, Partner Member, and Employee of a Member Company. Annual fees range from $15.75 (employee of member company) to $3,150 (corporate, 200+ employees).
• Members Directory A searchable online directory of 554+ circus professionals and organizations across Canada with advanced filters by province, discipline practiced, discipline taught, and skills. Enables circus artists, companies, and presenters to discover and connect with each other through public-facing profiles.
• En Piste Membership Portal A web-based portal (app.enpiste.qc.ca) enabling circus professionals to apply for membership, renew subscriptions, manage their profiles, register for events and training, and access the members directory and exclusive partner discounts.
• Programmes et Services A suite of programs including Destination Cirque (touring support for Quebec presenters), individual training programs, training expense reimbursement for Quebec-based artists, specialized insurance coverage, and CNESST workplace injury protection, designed to support circus professionals at every stage of their career.
• Formations et Développement Professionnel Professional development and training offerings including group formations, customized training, circus-specific courses (vertical dance, rigging, stage techniques, grant writing, technical documentation), and the Pan-Canadian Mentorship Program with mentor Krin Haglund offered across multiple Canadian cities (Moncton, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton). Program fees range from $220 (members) to $300 (non-members).
• Prix et Valorisation (Circus Arts Awards) Recognition awards including the Prix du CALQ pour la meilleure œuvre circassienne ($10,000 prize), the Prix Propulsion du CAM ($10,000 prize), and inaugural circus arts recognition awards created in 2023 in partnership with the Conseil des arts de Montréal, recognizing outstanding circus artists and works.
• Circus Agenda (Agenda du cirque) Annual publication serving as both a marketing tool and industry reference, cataloging 120+ circus companies (90 established in Canada), 85+ shows, and 125+ cities across Canada from coast to coast.
• Festival Directory A curated directory of 22 circus festivals across Canada, from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia, providing details on dates, locations, and descriptions to support circus touring and networking.
• 5@Cirque Event Series An annual networking and awards ceremony event held in Montreal during the MICC (Marché international de cirque contemporain), bringing together circus professionals from Canada and internationally to celebrate and present circus arts awards.
• Partner Discounts and Exclusive Offers Exclusive member benefits including discounts on circus venue access (TOHU, Le Monastère), training facilities (The Circus Fix, Le Studio PACA, Obstak), legal services (Juripop), health services (Physiothérapie Biokin, Kinatex), and retail (CIRCUSCONCEPTS). Discounts range from 10-50% on various services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 554+ circus professionals and organizations served as members across Canada
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment arts council of Quebec providing major operational and program funding to En Piste. Key partnerships include: the CNESST-CALQ agreement for workplace injury protection for Quebec artists; co-creation of the Prix du CALQ pour la meilleure œuvre circassienne ($10,000 annual prize); and support for the Destination cirque dissemination program.
• Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec (MCCQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec's Ministry of Culture and Communications provides government funding including a landmark $1 million allocation in 2019 for the development of a circus arts training pipeline, and ongoing support for En Piste's programs and operations.
• Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontreal's arts council is a key strategic partner co-creating the Prix Propulsion en arts du cirque with En Piste ($10,000 annual prize), recognizing innovative circus arts initiatives that contribute to Montreal's cultural vitality. CAM also provides general operational support.
• Canada Council for the Arts (CAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's national arts funder recognized circus arts as a distinct discipline (2010). Provides national-level funding supporting En Piste's programs and the broader Canadian circus arts ecosystem.
• Emploi-QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec government employment agency that co-funded the establishment of En Piste's continuing education program in 2008 alongside Compétence Culture, supporting professional development for circus practitioners.
• TOHUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontreal-based circus venue and cultural organization. TOHU organizes the MICC (Marché international de cirque contemporain) and the Montreal Complètement Cirque festival. Guillaume Labelle (TOHU) serves on En Piste's Board of Directors. TOHU offers En Piste members discounted tickets ($2/hour for training, $15/hour for residencies) and 25% off show tickets.
• Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLOJIQ partners with En Piste and the MICC on the 'Mon premier MICC' program, providing funding for young circus professionals (18-35, francophone, Canadian) to attend the MICC annual gathering, including accommodation, transport, and meals.
• Compétence CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec's cultural workforce development committee, co-founding En Piste's continuing education program in 2008 alongside Emploi-Québec. Provides ongoing support for professional development in the cultural sector.
• RIDEAU (Association professionnelle des diffuseurs de spectacles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec's professional association of performing arts presenters. En Piste collaborates with RIDEAU on the Mon premier RIDEAU program supporting emerging artists' first participation in the RIDEAU marketplace. Both organizations are part of the Front commun pour les arts.
• Le MonastèreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMontreal cultural venue offering En Piste members 15% discount on show tickets (categories 2-3-4). Partnership provides preferential access to performances for the circus arts community.
• FTA (Festival de Théâtre des Amériques)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFTA offers En Piste members approximately 20% discount on professional-rate show tickets. Partnership enhances access to contemporary theatre programming for circus artists.
• TangenteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMontreal contemporary dance organization. Offers En Piste members $22 tickets (with exceptions) for all season shows, expanding circus artists' access to contemporary dance programming.
• JuripopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal services organization providing En Piste members consultations at $65/hour (with $55 file opening fee and first hour free). Juripop also delivers mandatory harassment prevention training for En Piste trainers and contractors.
• CIRCUSCONCEPTSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline circus equipment retailer offering En Piste members 10% discount on standard and regular-priced products (excluding personalized or already discounted items).
• The Circus FixminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorToronto-based circus training facility offering En Piste members 50% discount on open training and space rentals (for touring artists). Provides training access for Eastern Canada-based members.
• Kinatex Sports PhysiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMontreal sports physiotherapy clinic offering En Piste members discounts on various products directly on their website, supporting the physical health of circus professionals.
• Physiothérapie BioKinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMontreal physiotherapy clinic offering En Piste members $15 discount on initial evaluations and follow-up treatments, supporting injury prevention and recovery for circus artists.
• OBSTAK Mouvement UrbainminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQuebec City-based circus training facility offering 15% discount on all services and $300/3h studio rental for professional circus troupes, supporting the Quebec City circus community.
• Front commun pour les artscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of 21 Quebec cultural organizations (including En Piste) advocating for sustained increases to CALQ funding. Achieved budget increase to $200M/year and individual artist bursaries to $29M for 2025-2026. En Piste is an active and committed member of this coalition.
• FEDEC (Fédération européenne des écoles de cirque)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network of circus training schools. En Piste participates as a member, contributing to international collaboration on circus pedagogy, professional development, and training standards.
• CircostradaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network for contemporary circus and street arts. En Piste participates as a member, engaging in international research, collaboration, and dissemination of circus arts across Europe and Canada.
• Quebec Cultural Workforce Development Council (CFC) — Île-de-MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontreal-based cultural workforce development council. En Piste participates as a member organization, contributing to professional development coordination across Montreal's cultural sector and accessing shared training resources.
• Culture MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent organization bringing together Montreal cultural stakeholders to promote culture as an essential driver of Montreal's development and well-being. En Piste participates as a member.
• Groupe de travail sur la circulation disciplinaire (GTCD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking group of cultural organizations proposing programs for the development, promotion, and circulation of performing arts. En Piste participates; the group conducted a study on artist residencies in Quebec performing arts.
• Groupe de travail sur la fréquentation des arts de la scène (GTFAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking group established in 2014 focused on reflection, monitoring, and actions to increase performing arts attendance and circulation. En Piste participates as a member.
• École nationale de cirquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada's premier circus arts training institution. Hosted En Piste's team rent-free from 1996 until December 2019 (when En Piste moved to its current offices). Olivier Leblanc (École nationale de cirque) serves on En Piste's Board of Directors. The school was instrumental in founding En Piste in 1996.
• Réseau de diffusion en cirque — Quebec presenter network (Azimut, Centre culturel Desjardins, Spectacles Joliette, and 25+ others)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 25 Quebec-based performing arts presenters and venues serve as dissemination partners for circus arts through programs including Destination cirque. Partners span Quebec from Gaspe to Val-d'Or, representing the primary channel for circus touring in the province.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Circostrada: European network for contemporary circus and street arts. En Piste participates as a member. Both organizations serve as international convening bodies for circus arts, providing research, dissemination, and professional development services to circus practitioners and presenters.
• Canadian Dance Assembly: National service organization for the Canadian dance sector. Directly comparable to En Piste in structure and function as a national member-based association providing advocacy, professional development, and member services for an independent performing arts discipline in Canada.
• RIDEAU (Association professionnelle des diffuseurs de spectacles): Quebec professional association of performing arts presenters. En Piste collaborates with RIDEAU on programs like Mon premier RIDEAU. Both are member-based Quebec associations serving performing arts professionals with advocacy, training, and networking services, and co-membership in Front commun pour les arts.
• Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC): Canada's national cultural sector workforce development council. Comparable to En Piste in serving as a member-based national body focused on professional development, training resources, and workforce advocacy for cultural professionals in Canada.
• FEDEC (Fédération européenne des écoles de cirque): European federation of circus schools. En Piste is an active member of FEDEC. Both are member-based organizations supporting circus pedagogy, professional development, and training standards, operating as sector-wide infrastructure for circus arts in their respective geographies.

Broad incumbents

• TOHU: Montreal-based circus venue, cultural organization, and producer of MICC and Montréal Complètement Cirque festival. A core strategic partner of En Piste offering member discounts and venue access, and a board seat, functioning as the primary Canadian circus venue infrastructure.
• Cirque du Soleil: Internationally renowned Quebec-based circus entertainment company with a Cirque du Soleil representative on En Piste's board. A broad incumbent in the global circus industry and a member of En Piste, providing the organization with marquee industry visibility and credibility.
• École nationale de cirque: Canada's premier circus arts training institution and co-founder of En Piste in 1996, hosting the organization rent-free until 2019. A broad incumbent as the leading Canadian circus training school with a board seat on En Piste, representing a critical partnership anchor.

Emerging players

• Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain: Major international circus competition and showcase held in Paris. Comparable to En Piste's Prix Propulsion and Prix du CALQ as a recognition and competition platform for emerging circus artists, intersecting with En Piste's mandate to promote Canadian circus talent internationally.
• The National Circus School (Australia) / National Institute of Circus Arts: Australia's premier circus training institution with both vocational and higher education programs. Comparable to En Piste's broader mission of supporting circus training infrastructure, and intersects with En Piste's training organization members and education-focused initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/enpiste_qc
• Facebookfacebook.com/enpiste.qc.ca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/enpiste
• Instagraminstagram.com/enpiste_qc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 En Piste