Arts'Thémis – Circus and Magic School

Arts'Thémis is a circus and magic school located in the Nord-Isère region, with weekly classes held in Saint-Jean-de-Bournay and La Tour-du-Pin . The school originated from the Z'Azimuts project, developed in Saint-Jean-de-Bournay starting in 2007. Arts'Thémis was founded in 2025 by Sébastien Carette to continue and expand the school's circus arts teaching, educational programs, and performances.

A school for all children

The school welcomes children from the age of 3 , from beginners to more experienced practitioners. Group sizes are intentionally limited to ensure individualized attention and allow each child to progress at their own pace.

A multidisciplinary practice

The courses offer a multidisciplinary introduction to circus arts. Juggling, object balancing, and acrobatics are the main disciplines explored. Magic complements this practice and adds an extra dimension focused on imagination, presentation, and performance.

The course of the sessions

The sessions are structured around a warm-up , circuits made up of different workshops, small challenges adapted to each child's level, and free practice time . This free practice allows children to choose a discipline they wish to explore further and progress according to their own desires.

A pedagogy that goes beyond technique

Arts'Thémis's teaching approach goes beyond simply acquiring techniques. Circus arts are used to develop coordination , motor skills , concentration , autonomy , and self-confidence . Group activities also foster cooperation , mutual support , and respect for others .

Experienced management

The classes are taught by Sébastien Carette , an artist also known as the clown Zigotto . He has been teaching circus arts since 1999 and holds the BIAC (Brevet d'Initiation Aptitude aux Fonctions d'Animateur), the BISAC (Brevet d'Initiation Aptitude aux Fonctions d'Animateur) specializing in adapted circus, as well as the BPJEPS (Brevet Professionnel de la Jeunesse, de l'Éducation Populaire et du Sport) in Circus Activities. He trained at the Regional Circus Arts Center in Lomme before teaching there, then at the Lyon Circus School and in various schools in the Nord-Isère region. He has also been accredited by the French Ministry of Education in Isère since 2006 .

Courses for the 2026-2027 season

For the 2026-2027 season, Arts'Thémis offers its courses at two locations. The workshops in Saint-Jean-de-Bournay take place on Tuesday evenings at La Fabrique , while those in La Tour-du-Pin are organized on Wednesday afternoons at the Saint-Joseph private school.

Mobile interventions

Alongside its circus school, Arts'Thémis develops a significant travelling activity with schools, nurseries, leisure centres and holiday centres.

School projects

School projects can take the form of multi-session cycles . Children discover, among other things, juggling with scarves, balls, rings, clubs, devil sticks, diabolo, and spinning plates, as well as balancing on objects with the balance ball, rolla-bolla, and straps. Clowning can also be integrated into the projects.

The programs are developed in collaboration with the teaching staff and can culminate in a performance for families or other classes. Arts'Thémis provides circus equipment for the duration of the project so that teachers can continue practicing between sessions.

Nurseries and preschools

For nurseries and preschool children, circus arts are used as a tool for psychomotor development . The activities offered allow children to work on balance , discover new skills , develop autonomy , and build self-confidence .

On the Grenoble academy

Arts'Thémis operates more broadly across the Grenoble academy for school projects and also develops occasional workshops during events, as well as activities to discover circus arts.

A link with live performance

The organization maintains a direct link with live performance thanks to the artistic work of Sébastien Carette and the character of the clown Zigotto . Clown shows are offered to schools, leisure centers, local authorities, and for events.

In summary

Arts'Thémis is a small, amateur circus school , particularly appealing to families in the Nord-Isère region. Its program combines regular classes, juggling , balancing , acrobatics , magic , and artistic expression , while also developing a significant outreach program for schools and other organizations that work with children.