Arc Poetry Society

What Arc Poetry Society does

Arc Poetry Society is a Canadian non-profit literary organization founded in 1977 in Ottawa, Ontario, that publishes Arc Poetry Magazine three times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall) in a perfect-bound 8-by-7-inch format of 140–160 pages with full-colour visual-art portfolios. The society serves Canadian and international audiences of poets, literary scholars, academics, and general cultural readers through its print magazine, the Poem of the Year Contest, two podcast series (the bilingual Voices/Voix and how poems hAPPen), a Poet-in-Residence program, and sponsorship of established literary awards (Archibald Lampman Award, Diana Brebner Prize, Confederation Poets Prize, Critic's Desk Award). It is governed by a Board of Directors led by President Kayla Calder, with an editorial team that includes Managing Editor Chris Johnson, Poetry Editor Jenna Butler, Prose Editor Dessa Bayrock, Reviews Editor Margaryta Golovchenko, and Editorial Coordinator Char Harrison.

The underlying technology stack is modest: a WordPress website (arcpoetry.ca) augmented by a custom accessibility toolbar offering text-size scaling, contrast controls, link underlining, and motion deactivation, alongside a Shopify storefront (arc-poetry-magazine.myshopify.com) that handles print and digital subscription commerce. The site carries no proprietary AI or data platform; technology functions as a publishing and accessibility utility rather than a differentiator.

Arc's business model combines earned and contributed revenue. Earned income comes from magazine subscriptions, print advertising (full-page B&W at $250, inside back cover at $300–$400, with a 10% multi-issue discount), online banner advertising ($50/month), and newsletter advertising ($40 per placement). Contributed and institutional income includes direct reader donations and grants from three public-sector funders: the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Ottawa. Distribution is omnichannel for a niche literary title: direct-to-consumer via Shopify, retail through Chapters, McNally Robinson, Drawn & Quarterly, Book City, Munro's and other independent and university bookstores across Canada, plus library subscriptions representing roughly 10% of the subscriber base across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. No private equity, venture capital, or parent-company ownership is identified.

Name

Arc Poetry Society

Legal name

Arc Poetry Society

Website

https://arcpoetry.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Arc Poetry Society is a Canadian non-profit founded in 1977 in Ottawa that publishes Arc Poetry Magazine three times yearly, serving poets, academics, and literary readers across Canada and internationally through print issues, contests, podcasts, and sponsored poetry awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Magazine Subscriptions: Annual and multi-year subscriptions to Arc Poetry Magazine, sold through Shopify storefront. Three issues published per year.
2. Print Advertising: Advertising space sold in print issues including full page B&W ($250), half page B&W ($150), inside back cover B&W ($300) or full colour ($400). 10% discount available for placing ads in multiple issues.
3. Online Advertising: Web banner advertising ($50/month, 500x500 pixels) and newsletter ad placement ($40, 275x275 pixels). Combined print and web bookings receive double web duration for same price.
4. Donations: Direct donation capability through website for supporters of the literary magazine.
5. Government and Foundation Funding: Financial support received from Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and City of Ottawa.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Arc Poetry Society publishes Arc Poetry Magazine, a Canadian literary poetry periodical issued three times annually (Spring, Summer, Fall) in a perfect-bound 8" x 7" format of 140-160 pages. The organization also operates poetry contests, sponsored awards (Archibald Lampman Award, Diana Brebner Prize, Poem of the Year Contest, Confederation Poets Prize, Critic's Desk Award), podcast series, a Poet-in-Residence program, and sells advertising in print and digital formats.

Product overview

Arc Poetry Society operates primarily as Arc Poetry Magazine, a Canadian literary poetry publication issued three times yearly in print format. The organization offers a portfolio of products including the core magazine, the annual Poem of the Year Contest, bilingual Voices/Voix Podcast, the how poems hAPPen podcast series, a Poet-in-Residence Program, and multiple literary awards (Archibald Lampman Award, Diana Brebner Prize, Confederation Poets Prize, Critic's Desk Award). Additional offerings include subscription services, a newsletter, and advertising services for print and digital placements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arc Poetry Magazine A Canadian literary poetry magazine published three times yearly in a sophisticated perfect-bound 8-in. x 7-in. format, ranging from 140 to 160 pages with four-colour covers, full-colour inside art portfolios, and distribution across Canada for poetry enthusiasts, academics, and general cultural readers.
• Poem of the Year Contest Annual poetry competition organized by Arc Poetry Magazine, featuring a shortlisted collection of poems with reader voting for the Readers' Choice Award, open to poets seeking recognition.
• Voices / Voix Podcast Bilingual podcast featuring interviews with poets, including episodes with notable Canadian and international poets such as Sonnet L'Abbé, Paul Savoie, Susan Musgrave, and Chloé Savoie-Bernard.
• how poems hAPPen Podcast Arc Poetry Podcast where poets read their published poems and discuss the creative process and impulses behind their work.
• Subscriptions Annual subscription service for Arc Poetry Magazine available through the Shopify store, offering print copies of the magazine published three times yearly.
• Poet-in-Residence Program Program featuring a designated poet-in-residence, currently featuring Robyn Sarah, providing editorial content and interviews for the magazine.
• Archibald Lampman Award Annual award sponsored by Arc for the best book of poetry by an Ottawa writer, recognizing excellence in poetry.
• Diana Brebner Prize Annual prize for emerging writers, awarded for exceptional poetry published in Arc, supporting new poetic talent.
• Confederation Poets Prize Literary prize sponsored by Arc Poetry Magazine recognizing poetry achievement.
• Critic's Desk Award Literary award sponsored by Arc Poetry Magazine for excellence in poetry criticism.
• Advertising Services Print and online advertising options including full page, half page, inside back cover placements for print, and online banners and newsletter ads for digital, with distribution across Canada for literary organizations and publishers seeking to reach poetry readership.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three issues published annually with 140-160 pages each
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and regional.

• ChaptersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Canadian bookstore chain with strong presence for Arc magazine distribution across Canada.
• McNally RobinsonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent Canadian bookstore chain distributing Arc in Calgary and Winnipeg locations.
• Drawn & QuarterlymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProminent Montreal bookstore and publisher specializing in literary content, distributing Arc.
• Book CityregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent Toronto bookstore chain serving as distribution point for Arc magazine.
• Munro's BooksregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVictoria-based independent bookstore distributing Arc in British Columbia.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Malahat Review: Long-running Canadian literary journal based at the University of Victoria publishing poetry, prose, and reviews; directly comparable to Arc as a Canadian poetry/literary magazine with similar subscription, contest, and award structures.
• PRISM International: Canadian literary magazine published by UBC Creative Writing, featuring poetry, prose, and translation with contests and awards; directly comparable in scope, audience, and Canada-based literary magazine positioning.
• CV/Contemporaneous Verse (CV2): Canadian poetry magazine featuring poetry, criticism, and reviews with annual contests; directly comparable as a poetry-focused Canadian literary publication with a similar recurring issue cadence and award programs.
• Brick: A Literary Journal: Canadian literary magazine featuring essays, poetry, and reviews; directly comparable as a Canadian-based literary periodical with similar print distribution, subscription model, and editorial review content.
• Literary Review of Canada: Canadian literary review magazine covering books, poetry, and criticism; directly comparable as a Canadian literary periodical with review-focused content, institutional subscribers, and recurring print issues.
• Event Magazine: Canadian literary journal published by Douglas College featuring poetry, prose, and reviews with annual contests; directly comparable as a Canadian poetry/literary magazine serving similar contributor and reader audiences.
• The Fiddlehead: Canadian literary magazine based at UNB publishing poetry, prose, and reviews with contests; directly comparable as a long-established Canadian literary periodical serving overlapping poet and academic audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Granta: Internationally renowned literary magazine based in the UK publishing long-form fiction, essays, poetry, and criticism; broadly comparable as a globally distributed literary magazine with subscription model and editorial depth.
• The Walrus: Major Canadian literary and ideas magazine with broad non-fiction focus; broadly comparable as a Canadian literary publication with overlapping distribution channels and subscriber base, though its scope extends well beyond poetry.
• Poetry Magazine: Preeminent American poetry magazine published by the Poetry Foundation, offering poetry, criticism, podcasts, and digital content; broadly comparable as a much larger established poetry periodical with overlapping content formats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/arcpoetry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ArcPoetry
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArcPoetryMagazine
• Instagraminstagram.com/arcpoetrymag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arc-poetry-magazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Arc Poetry Society