Ballet national de Marseille

What Ballet national de Marseille does

Ballet national de Marseille (BNM) is a Centre Chorégraphique National (CCN) — a state-funded public cultural institution (Établissement public de coopération culturelle) established in Marseille in 1972 and directed since 2019 by the collective (LA)HORDE (Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, Arthur Harel). The company produces and tours contemporary choreographic works, films, and exhibition-performances, with a permanent company of approximately 20-23 dancers alongside apprentices, technical, administrative, and health staff. Its repertoire under (LA)HORDE interrogates the political dimensions of dance, bridging traditional and popular forms such as Georgian folk dance, voguing, jumpstyle, and rave, with cross-disciplinary collaborations across film, music, visual arts, and fashion.

BNM's core products are choreographic works (e.g., To Da Bone, Marry Me in Bassiani, Room With A View, Age of Content, Après moi, le déluge), short films (Ghosts with Spike Jonze), and exhibition-performances. The company operates institutional programs including the Accueil Studio residency for emerging and established choreographers, the Moteur de Recherche experimentation space (launched 2022), and an associated artist program (currently hosting Théo Mercier from 2025, Maryam Kaba). It maintains a permanent home venue at 20 bd de Gabès (Marseille, designed by architect Roland Simounet) co-located with the École nationale de danse de Marseille, an integrated national dance school.

BNM's revenue is structured around four streams: institutional public subsidies from the French Ministry of Culture (Direction générale de la création artistique), DRAC PACA, and Ville de Marseille; ticket sales and venue admissions from touring performances; co-production fees from 30+ partner venues across France, Europe, and the US; and corporate sponsorship (notably ASICS and Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels). The company's go-to-market is event-driven, distributing through co-productions with major theaters, festival appearances, and the Accueil Studio residency program. It serves four primary segments: general performing arts audiences, partner theaters and festivals, choreographers and dance artists, and local community and social organizations in Marseille.

Name

Ballet national de Marseille

Legal name

Ballet national de Marseille

Website

https://ballet-de-marseille.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ballet national de Marseille is a state-funded Centre Chorégraphique National that produces contemporary dance performances, films, and artist residencies. Under (LA)HORDE's direction since 2019, it serves touring audiences, partner theaters, and emerging choreographers across France, Europe, and the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Tour & Artist Management Services (HSACAHAN)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance performances
• Choreographic creation
• National ballet company
• Dance residency programs
• Performing arts center

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public subsidies and institutional funding: The Ballet national de Marseille (CCN - Centre Chorégraphique National) receives regular institutional support from the French Ministry of Culture / Direction générale de la création artistique, DRAC PACA (Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs), and the Ville de Marseille. This public funding forms the core financial base.
2. Ticket sales and venue admissions: Revenue generated from public performances at the company's home venue and on tour at co-producing theaters and festivals in France and internationally.
3. Co-production and coproduction fees: Co-production arrangements with partner theaters and festivals (e.g., Théâtre de la Ville, Chaillot, Maison de la Danse Lyon, Sadler's Wells, Kampnagel, Agora Montpellier, La Comédie de Genève) contribute to production costs and touring revenue.
4. Corporate sponsorship: Corporate sponsors such as ASICS (partner for performances like Célébrations) and Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels (supporter of Age of Content, Marry Me in Bassiani, and other productions) provide financial and in-kind support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Ballet national de Marseille (BNM) is a Centre Chorégraphique National (CCN) that creates, produces, and tours contemporary choreographic works and films under the artistic direction of the (LA)HORDE collective. It maintains a permanent company of dancers and offers residency programs (Accueil Studio), creation spaces (Moteur de Recherche), associated artist partnerships, and community outreach while performing at its Marseille venue and at partner theaters and festivals across France, Europe, and internationally.

Product overview

Ballet National de Marseille (BNM) is a Centre Chorégraphique National (CCN) that operates as a dance creation and performance company. Under the artistic direction of (LA)HORDE collective since 2019, BNM produces choreographic works, films, performances, and exhibition-performances. The portfolio includes major works like 'Après moi, le déluge' (2026), 'Age of Content' (2023), and 'Marry Me in Bassiani' (2019), alongside programs such as the 'Accueil Studio' residency program for choreographers, 'Moteur de Recherche' experimental creation space, and the 'Artist Associated' partnership program. BNM collaborates with partner companies including Ensemble Iveroni and presents work at international venues including Sadler's Wells, Tanz im August, and Brooklyn Academy of Music. The company also produces public events, festivals, and educational outreach programs serving the Marseille metropolitan area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Après moi, le déluge A choreographic piece by (LA)HORDE exploring collective crisis, transformation, and care, examining power structures, inheritance, and the possibility of change through dance.
• Age of Content A choreographic work examining the relationship between real and virtual bodies, exploring content abundance, digital avatars, and the blurring of boundaries between real and simulated worlds.
• Marry Me in Bassiani A choreographic piece combining Georgian traditional dance with techno music, created with Ensemble Iveroni, inspired by political protests at the Bassiani club in Tbilisi.
• To Da Bone A choreographic work exploring youth rebellion and post-Internet dance styles including Hardstyle, Shuffle, Hakken, and Jumpstyle, examining the role of new media in mobilizing protest movements.
• Ghosts A short film directed by Spike Jonze and (LA)HORDE with RONE, exploring forms of uprising through dance at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Marseille at Palais Longchamp.
• Room With A View A choreographic work created at Théâtre du Châtelet Paris by RONE and (LA)HORDE with the Ballet national de Marseille, blending music and dance.
• We Should Have Never Walked on the Moon A danced exhibition breaking barriers between museum white cube and dance stage black box, exploring the influence of American hegemonic culture and questioning homogenizing gestures.
• The Master's Tools An exhibition-performance inspired by Audre Lorde's essay, exploring resistance cycles and symbols of power and control through choreographic works.
• Deep Stream A performance at the Louvre museum where BNM dancers performed choreographed motifs from Age of Content live on Instagram, between sculptures in the Cours Marly and Puget.
• Accueil Studio A residency program supporting emerging and established choreographers, providing coproduction funding, studio space, technical/logistic support, and artistic/administrative accompaniment. Open to national and international artists.
• Moteur de Recherche A space for creation, experimentation, and free practice developed in collaboration with artists, associations, or cultural structures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Premiered at major international festivals and venues including Tanz im August Berlin, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Sadler's Wells London, and others
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministère de la Culture / Direction générale de la création artistiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe primary institutional funder of the Ballet national de Marseille as a CCN (Centre Chorégraphique National). Provides ongoing operational and programmatic funding through the Direction générale de la création artistique.
• DRAC PACAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs for Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur provides regional public funding to support the ballet's activities and programming.
• Ville de MarseillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Marseille is a key municipal funder and supporter of the Ballet national de Marseille. Provides ongoing financial support and collaborates on public events (e.g., Festival de Marseille, outdoor performances at Vieux-Port).
• ASICSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerASICS is a corporate partner supporting BNM performances, notably the Célébrations program at the Vieux-Port de Marseille. Presented as a formal partner on production credits.
• Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & ArpelscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerA major sponsor providing dedicated support for BNM productions including Age of Content, Marry Me in Bassiani, Marry Me in Bassiani (tour), After Moi le Déluge, Building Momentum Under Lockdown, and other works. Supports BNM's international touring and coproduction costs.
• Ensemble IveronicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Georgian traditional dance ensemble based in Tbilisi with whom (LA)HORDE created Marry Me in Bassiani (2018-2019). The ensemble performs with BNM in the production, combining Georgian folk dance with techno music. Represents a core artistic collaboration.
• Théâtre de la Ville Paris / ChaillotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor co-producer, commissioner, and presenter of BNM works including Age of Content, Marry Me in Bassiani, and the Childs Carvalho Lasseindra Doherty program. Chaillot co-presented Marry Me in Bassiani and the Room With A View project.
• Sadler's Wells, LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious London dance venue that co-produced Marry Me in Bassiani and presented Age of Content (2025) and other BNM works.
• Agora / CCN Montpellier DansecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre Chorégraphique National of Montpellier was the premiere venue for Après moi, le déluge (June 2026) and is a longstanding coproduction partner.
• Maison de la Danse, LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA key coproduction and presenting partner for BNM works including Marry Me in Bassiani and co-presenter of Age of Content touring.
• La Comédie de GenèvecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss theater that co-produced Marry Me in Bassiani and Apr ès moi, le déluge. Contributed to construction of set decor for these productions.
• Charleroi Danse / Palais des Beaux-ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian contemporary dance center that co-produced Marry Me in Bassiani and presented Age of Content (January 2024).
• Kampnagel, HamburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamburg-based international summer festival and cultural venue that co-produced Age of Content and presented Marry Me in Bassiani.
• International Summerfestival Kampnagel / Tanz im August / Berliner FestspielecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerlin's flagship dance festival (Tanz im August) copresented Après moi, le déluge (August 2026) alongside Kampnagel Hamburg and Berliner Festspiele.
• International Theater AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch national theater that co-produced Après moi, le déluge and presented Age of Content in July 2024 (Julidans festival).
• Southbank Centre / Rambert, LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn September 2025, BNM and (LA)HORDE partnered with Rambert dance company for the UK premiere of We Should Have Never Walked on the Moon at Southbank Centre, London. Represents an ongoing international creative partnership.
• Festival de MarseillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Festival de Marseille is an annual partner that co-presented the opening of its 30th edition at BNM in June 2025 and coproduced events including La Nuée (Nacera Belaza). The festival's 2026 edition features Après moi, le déluge.
• Théâtre du ChâteletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParis venue that commissioned and co-presented Room With A View (2020) with BNM and (LA)HORDE, and presented Age of Content. Co-commissioned the Childs Carvalho Lasseindra Doherty program.
• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious New York performing arts institution that presented Age of Content in February 2026 as part of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels programming.
• Festival Actoral, MarseilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarseille-based international performing arts festival that renewed its collaboration with BNM for its 25th edition (2025), presenting multiple productions including Analphabet, Derniers Feux, High Gear, Sponge Babe in L.A., and others.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cullberg Ballet: Swedish contemporary dance company based at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm, with a similar mission of producing and touring contemporary choreographic works. Both BNM and Cullberg serve as national-level contemporary dance institutions with international co-productions.
• Ballet de l'Opéra National du Rhin: French national ballet company based in Mulhouse/Colmar, operating as a Centre Chorégraphique National. Both BNM and Ballet du Rhin share the CCN label, French Ministry of Culture funding structure, and a mission of contemporary dance creation and international touring.
• Ballet Preljocaj: Founded by Angelin Preljocaj in Aix-en-Provence, this is one of France's leading contemporary dance companies operating as a Centre Chorégraphique National (CCN). Both BNM and Ballet Preljocaj receive Ministry of Culture funding, tour internationally, and produce large-scale contemporary works.
• Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT): One of Europe's leading contemporary dance companies based in The Hague, with similar international touring scope and a comparable repertoire blending contemporary and classical works. NDT is a directly comparable European contemporary dance institution with co-production relationships with major global venues like Sadler's Wells.
• Opéra National de Paris (Paris Opera Ballet): France's premier national ballet company, sharing the CCN/Ballet National institutional status with BNM. Both operate as state-funded French national ballet companies with international touring mandates and classical-contemporary repertoires, though Paris Opera is significantly larger and more established.
• Compagnie Käfig (Mourad Merzouki): French contemporary dance company exploring hip-hop and urban dance forms. Both BNM and Käfig represent the transdisciplinary, popular-culture-meets-contemporary-dance ethos that defines a distinct segment of French contemporary dance with international touring profiles.
• Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: Legendary German dance theater company with a globally touring repertoire and state funding model comparable to BNM's CCN structure. Both companies operate as nationally supported dance institutions with international co-productions and venues like Sadler's Wells as regular presenting partners.
• Compagnie Maguy Marin: French contemporary dance company directed by Maguy Marin, also operating as a Centre Chorégraphique National. Both share the CCN funding model, Ministry of Culture support, and a focus on producing contemporary choreographic works for international touring.

Emerging players

• Sadler's Wells (London): Premier London dance venue that is both a key co-producer/presenter for BNM (Marry Me in Bassiani, Age of Content) and a competitor in commissioning contemporary dance. Functions as both distribution partner and parallel producing entity in the European contemporary dance ecosystem.
• Rambert Dance Company: Britain's oldest dance company, with which BNM/LA HORDE co-presented We Should Have Never Walked on the Moon at Southbank Centre in September 2025. Comparable in being a national contemporary dance institution with international touring and similar funding-mix profile (public + corporate sponsorship).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/balletmarseille
• Facebookfacebook.com/BalletnationaldeMarseille
• Instagraminstagram.com/balletnationaldemarseille
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ballet-national-marseille

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ballet national de Marseille