Private workshops for not-for-profit organizations in Montreal
Do you support people in vulnerable situations, in social reintegration, or with specific needs? Les Affûtés offers hands-on workshops tailored to your organization and your members, at your location or ours. Preferential rates available for non-profit organizations and charities.
The Affûtés experience
A unique experience for your group, an opportunity to learn, create and share, in a friendly and caring atmosphere!
Why choose a workshop at Les Affûtés?
Our community workshops are designed to welcome everyone, regardless of background, experience level, or specific needs.
Overtaking
Your members push their limits in a supportive and encouraging environment.
“I walked in convinced I’d never pull it off. Woodworking was completely new to me. I left with a beautiful raised planter that now sits proudly on my balcony”
Karine, Déclic
Skills
Every participant leaves with a concrete, practical skill they can be proud of.
“I made my own woven basket and the result was superb! A great experience that introduced me to an exciting new skill.”
Denis, EcoMaris
Cohésion
A true moment of sharing that builds bonds between your members and strengthens their sense of belonging.
“We learned leatherworking at our own pace, with a sign language interpreter, in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. The results were great. I absolutely loved it.”
Léo, Maison des Hommes Sourds
Self-confidence
Creating with your hands is empowering and unforgettable.
“A huge thank you for this fabulous (and delicious) cooking training! I learned how to hold a knife safely and how to fold beautiful dumplings!”
Fatima, Chez Doris
Organizations we've worked with
Our workshops for non-profit organizations in Montreal
With over 50 workshops to choose from — woodworking, cooking, sewing, basketry, and more — your organization will find the activity that fits your members and your mission.
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Create your entryway shelf in solid wood
During this 3.5 hour workshop, we will make a beautiful, customizable and practical pocket-sized piece of furniture to install in our entryway.
3.5h / 10 participants -
Carving level I – Sculpting your butter knife
In this 3-hour workshop, Jesse introduces us to the art of wood carving by making a butter knife!
3h / 8 participants -
Creative pyrography – make your own wooden coasters
During this 3-hour workshop, you'll discover the decorative art of pyrography on wood, through the creation of a set of 4 coasters!
3h / 10 participants -
Basketry initiation – Making a small basket
In this 3 hour workshop, you will learn different techniques for weaving and tightening rattan to make your own small basket.
3h / 10 participants -
Introduction to mosaic – Create your own mirror
During this 3-hour workshop, we will discover all the necessary steps to create a personalized mosaic mirror.
3h / 10 participants -
Make a leather belt
In this guided workshop, you will learn all sorts of techniques to work with leather to make your own custom-made belt.
3h / 8 participants -
Creating a terrarium of cacti and succulents
This 3-hour workshop will enable you to make your own dry terrarium with cacti and succulents and bring greenery into your home.
3h / 10 participants -
Linocut – print your own botanical greeting cards
During this 3-hour workshop, Sarah takes us into the delicate world of stationery, through the creation of printed greeting cards!
3h / 10 participants -
Introduction to wool felting – making a small animal
In this workshop, Jesse takes us into the delicate world of wool felting, creating a little animal!
3h / 10 participants -
Sew a lined and quilted all-purpose case
In this 4-hour workshop, you'll learn to sew an all-purpose lined and quilted pencil case, to organize your daily essentials in style! You'll learn the basics of the sewing machine, straight-stitch and zigzag stitching, topstitching, quilting, how to fit a zipper, and how to create a complex, lined volume.
4h / 8 participants -
Discover Jesmonite by creating useful and decorative objects
Would you like to make your own beautiful decorative and practical home accessories while discovering a new versatile, colorful, and durable material? In this 3-hour workshop, we will create molded objects in Jesmonite—an eco-friendly, solid composite material made from gypsum mineral powder, water, and liquid acrylic resin. You will be able to pigment it in the colors of your choice and learn how to create a variety of organic textures and patterns.
3h / 10 participants -
Create a solid perfume to suit you
Do you like fresh scents or spicier notes? Would you like to create your own personal fragrance to scent everyone you meet? In this 3-hour workshop, you'll make a natural perfume in solid form, to be applied with your fingertips, ideal for taking everywhere.
3h / 10 participants -
Learn beading techniques on a loom
Does the art of beading fascinate you with all its finesse and beautiful designs ? In this 3h workshop given by Alyag, our expert artist, you'll make a small accessory of your choice, such as a key ring, learning the best techniques on a loom for a magnificent result.
3h / 10 participants -
Have fun with glass mosaic tiles by creating a luminous decoration
Have the plays of light through colored glass always dazzled you with their beauty? Would you like to treat yourself to a moment of gentle creativity? In this 3-hour workshop, guided by our multidisciplinary artist, we’ll explore the luminous art of glass mosaic, transforming a simple jar into a vibrant candle holder.
3h / 8 participants -
Making your own pizza: Kneading, baking, proofing, sauce
In this 3-hour workshop, we'll make pizza dough by hand, a vegetarian tomato sauce and learn about cooking techniques.
3.5h / 12 participants -
Carfting Your Own Fresh Pasta – Advanced Techniques
In this 3.5-hour workshop, we’ll make a two-tone pasta dough and shape farfalle, gemilli, cappelletti, and agnolotti.
3.5h / 10 participants -
Patisserie – Perfectly prepare classic pastries (chocolate mousse, madeleine, financier)
During that 3-hours workshop, we will discover how to make a chocolate mousse, madeleines and financiers pastries.
3h / 12 participants
Plan your private workshop
Your workshop can take place in one of our two Montreal spaces or directly at your location. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your activity.
Our locations and capacities
Our private workshops
We offer 2h, 3h, 3h30 or 4h workshops, depending on the subject and your needs.
You can choose the number of participants per workshop depending on your teams.
We can organize up to 6 simultaneous workshops, with privatization of the facilities.
You can choose the language of the workshop according to your teams.
Wherever possible, we offer preferential rates for NPOs, associations and charities.
We also offer tailor-made adaptations (time, content of certain workshops), organization of snacks and meeting rooms rental.
Our mobile workshops
Les Affûtés comes to you
We also travel to your office within approximately a 1-hour radius of Montreal.
Multiple simultaneous or rotating workshops can be organized depending on available space.
Marie's expert tip
Our mission is to have a positive impact on as many people as possible. Universal accessibility, kindness, ecology, diversity, and respect for all are values we truly care about.
Manual activities are recognized for their therapeutic and social value. And there's something really special about creating in an inclusive environment!
We understand that budget can be a real concern. We are committed to offering the best possible rates for non-profits.
Marie, Corporate, mobile and private events manager
A committed structure
Les Affûtés emerged as a response to planned obsolescence and the buy-it-quickly-throw-it-away culture. It’s essential to change our ways of doing things, we now know this well, and we believe we can make our contribution by helping everyone become more independent and thus better able to make and repair their own objects.
B CORP
Les Affûtés is a B Corp certified company, the most recognized certification for social and environmental responsibility. We are deeply involved: carbon offsetting, circular economy for our raw materials, local suppliers, etc.
JUSTICE
Getting involved also means providing fair compensation to our trainers, allowing them to make a living from their passion.
KINDNESS
The mission of Les Affûtés is to make manual skills accessible to everyone. We would never mock someone who doesn’t know how to hold a drill. On the contrary, we would be proud to show them how to use it.
Frequently asked questions about our workshops for not-for-profit organizations
Find answers to the most common questions about our private workshops. Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Do you offer preferred rates for NPOs and charities?
Yes, whenever possible. Making our workshops accessible to the community is part of our values, and we offer preferential rates to non-profits, associations and registered charities.
Can we privatize the entire Les Affûtés space?
Yes, absolutely. We can privatize our entire space for your event.
Contact us to find the format that works best for your group.
How far in advance should we book a workshop?
As early as possible, and it depends on the time of year. October through February is our busiest period, so we recommend booking at least a month ahead. During quieter periods, two weeks is usually enough. The earlier you book, the more flexibility you’ll have when it comes to scheduling and workshop selection.
Can you adapt the workshop content to our organization's mission?
Yes, and it’s something we care deeply about. We can tailor our workshops to the specific needs of your members. For example, we can adjust the pace or content, or build a multi-session program to better support your group over time.
Reach out and we’ll work together to find the right fit for your organization.
Can workshops be offered in a bilingual format?
Although most of our artisans are bilingual, the length of the workshops means that we can’t provide all the information in both languages. You must therefore choose a main language.
Is it possible to rent a meeting room at Les Affûtés?
Yes, we offer equipped meeting room rentals (screen, speaker, coffee) as a complement to our workshops. Our rooms can accommodate up to 15 people.
Want to know more ?
Once we have received your request, we will contact you within 48 hours to discuss your project in more detail. We will also share our detailed brochures, so that together we can choose the ideal formula for your event!
Like the idea of planning private group workshops?
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Les Affûtés is a certified B Corp
B Corp is the most recognized certification for businesses committed to having a positive impact on the world around them. We’re proud of it — and it shows in everything we do, from the materials we source to the way we support our instructors.
