lesrichesclaires

What lesrichesclaires does

Les Riches-Claires is a Belgian non-profit performing arts venue (ASBL) based in central Brussels, founded in 1999. The organization operates two performance spaces — Salle Viala (200 seats) and Salle Marion (50 seats) — and presents a curated program spanning Co-Créations, Résidences, One Shot productions, and Collaborations, serving touring companies, performing artists, and general theater audiences in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Its core business model combines tri-source public subsidies (from the Ville de Bruxelles, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, and Cocof) with audience ticket revenue under a 'choose what you pay' voluntary-pricing model and on-site bar revenue. There is no fixed-price B2B or sponsorship revenue disclosed. The technology stack is deliberately minimal and non-differentiated: WordPress for web content, Google Analytics for audience tracking, and Utick as a third-party ticketing platform — there is no proprietary platform, data asset, or AI capability.

The organization is small (7 employees) and has recently undergone a leadership transition, with Sébastien Schmit assuming the artistic directorship in 2025 after Eric De Staercke's 12-year tenure (2013–2025). The venue functions as a community-embedded cultural infrastructure asset rather than a scalable commercial enterprise, with its value proposition rooted in artistic curation, artist development, and Brussels-specific cultural identity rather than market share or unit economics.

Name

lesrichesclaires

Legal name

Riches-Claires ASBL

Website

https://lesrichesclaires.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Les Riches-Claires is a Brussels-based non-profit performing arts venue (ASBL) operating Salle Viala (200 seats) and Salle Marion (50 seats), presenting Co-Créations, Résidences, and touring productions for artists and general audiences, funded by Ville de Bruxelles, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, and Cocof.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Theater productions
• Live performance space
• Emerging artists support
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: The venue sells tickets for its programmed performances. A 'choose your price' model is offered where audiences determine their own payment based on their financial situation. The ticket price is never meant to be an obstacle to attendance.
2. Bar & Hospitality: On-site bar services generate revenue from audience members before, during, and after performances. The bar also offers parking validation and collaborates with local breweries.
3. Co-Créations & Collaborations: The venue partners with emerging artists for co-creation projects, providing production support, technical services, and performance slots in exchange for shared programming. For collaborations, a cachet is paid for two representations with additional dates under a 50/50 revenue share arrangement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Les Riches-Claires is a Brussels-based performing arts venue operating two performance spaces — Salle Viala (200 seats) and Salle Marion (50 seats). The venue supports emerging artists through four distinct programs: Co-Créations, Résidences, One Shot, and Collaborations. Tickets are offered through a "choose your price" model to broaden accessibility to live performance.

Product overview

Les Riches-Claires is a theater venue in central Brussels operating two performance spaces: Salle Viala (200 seats) and Salle Marion (50 seats). The venue offers artist development programs including Co-Créations (co-creation support for emerging artists), Résidences (artist residencies), One Shot (touring show acquisitions), and Collaborations (longer-term partnerships with professional companies). Ticketing is managed through the Utick platform with a 'choose what you pay' pricing model. The programming focuses on young and emerging creation across theater, dance, puppetry, cinema, and music.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Salle Viala Performances

Quantifiable outcome

• Co-Création projects receive an average of 10 representations with full plateau cost coverage (artist salaries + technical support)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ville de BruxellescoreOthersThe City of Brussels is a primary institutional funder of Les Riches-Claires, providing ongoing financial support for the venue's operations and programming as part of the Brussels cultural ecosystem.
• Fédération Wallonie-BruxellescoreOthersThe Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles is a primary institutional funder and key partner, supporting the venue's operations and co-creation programs for emerging artists from the French-speaking Belgian region.
• Cocof (Commission communautaire française de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale)coreOthersThe Cocof provides institutional support to Les Riches-Claires as part of the French-speaking community's cultural funding framework in Brussels.
• Centre Culturel d'Anderlecht (L'Escale du Nord)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for co-productions and artist support. Mentioned as supporting the belgo-Swiss creation of 'TransmÊtre' by the Compagnie Yapluka.
• Marion (née Georgette Mariot)minorOthersNamed in honor of Marion (Georgette Mariot), a Belgian comedian, humorist, and presenter who initiated projects such as the 'Lundis-Théâtre' and has long championed young companies. The Salle Marion (50-seat venue) is named after her.
• Jacques VialaminorOthersFirst director of Les Riches-Claires (1999-2003) under whose impulse the venue's mission to support emerging projects was established. The main Salle Viala is named after him.
• Mélanie LalieuminorOthersDirector of Les Riches-Claires from 2003 to 2013, who pursued and strengthened the venue's mission of supporting emerging artistic creation.
• Éric De StaerckeminorOthersDirector of Les Riches-Claires from 2013 to 2025. During his tenure, he directed numerous productions and further developed the venue's artistic line and co-creation programs.
• Festival de SpaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Festival de Spa co-produces performances with Les Riches-Claires. The Compagnie Yapluka's 'L'Homme semence' was a co-production with the Festival de Spa.
• Editions ParoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench publishing house located in Haute Provence that publishes 'L'Homme semence' by Violette Ailhaud. Representatives attended performances at Les Riches-Claires for reader engagement.
• Théâtre MarniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue that co-produced 'Sources' by the Compagnie Dessources with Les Riches-Claires.
• Théâtre Loyal du TracminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer of 'Est-ce qu'on ne pourrait pas s'aimer un peu?' by Jaco Van Dormael, presented at Les Riches-Claires for its final Brussels performances.
• Lelac.beminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Sources' and 'Double' by the Compagnie Dessources with Les Riches-Claires.
• Espace CatastropheminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational festival and production venue for circus and street arts. Supported the creation of 'Deconcerto' by Compagnie Duo Gama.
• Drink Drink BreweryminorOthersLocal brewery whose beer is offered as a reward to audience members who arrive by bicycle, promoting sustainable transportation.
• Interparking (P1-P4)minorOthersPartnership with Interparking for reduced-cost parking for Riches-Claires audience members. P1 Rouppe-Fontainas offers 3 hours free (with validation); P2-P4 offer 3 euros for 3 hours with validation.
• Sabam (Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers)minorOthersBelgian copyright organization that sponsors the annual Courts Mais Trash festival's prize ceremony with a 1000 euro award.
• Les Connes RestaurantminorOthersLocal restaurant near Les Riches-Claires that provides catering for events such as the Courts Mais Trash festival opening party.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Théâtre Varia: Brussels-based theater venue presenting contemporary performing arts with public subsidies. Comparable in scale, programming philosophy, and Brussels-based francophone performing arts focus.
• Espace Catastrophe: Brussels international festival and production venue for circus and street arts, publicly supported. Comparable as a co-production partner and Brussels-based performing arts venue with public funding.
• Halles de Schaerbeek: Brussels performing arts venue hosting contemporary theater, dance, and performance with public funding. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary subsidized venue serving emerging and established artists.
• Rideau de Bruxelles: Brussels theater venue focused on contemporary performing arts with public institutional support. Comparable in mission and operating model as a small-to-mid scale subsidized Brussels venue.
• Théâtre Royal du Parc: Historic Brussels theater presenting a season of contemporary productions with public funding. Comparable as a subsidized Brussels venue hosting professional performing arts productions.
• Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles: The largest French-language theater in Belgium, also publicly funded and presenting a season of contemporary performing arts in Brussels. Directly comparable as a publicly subsidized performing arts venue serving the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles ecosystem.
• Théâtre Marni: Brussels venue co-producing with Les Riches-Claires on productions like 'Sources'. Comparable as a Brussels-based subsidized performing arts venue with co-production partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg): Brussels' flagship Dutch-language theater, larger scale and publicly funded. Comparable as a major subsidized Brussels theater venue though serving the Flemish community.

Regional players

• Théâtre de Liège: Major French-language theater in Wallonia (Liège), publicly funded and presenting contemporary performing arts. Comparable in mission and funding model though operating in a different Belgian region.
• Centre Culturel d'Anderlecht (L'Escale du Nord): Brussels-based cultural center co-producing with Les Riches-Claires. Comparable as a publicly subsidized Brussels cultural venue with similar artistic programming focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC32w59IJh85l3sxOpCmiXyQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/LesRichesClaires
• Instagraminstagram.com/richesclaires
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lesrichesclaires

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 lesrichesclaires