Circ-Exchange Week brings together emerging artists from the fields of circus and physical theater for five days at the Zirkusquartier. The week provides a space for practical research, workshops, and exchange. On November 1, the artists will share the results of the week with the audience in a work-in-progress presentation.

This year, the Zirkusquartier is hosting Circ-Exchange Week for the third time: for five days, emerging artists from the fields of circus and physical theater can conduct research, exchange ideas, and network at the Zirkusquartier. The goal of the week is to share different working methods, impart knowledge about fair practices, and create opportunities for interaction with the Swiss circus scene and the Zirkusquartier.

Circ-Exchange Week is led and hosted by Luisa Schmitz, a physical theater performer, and Caro Wuttke, a circus artist. They will structure the days in consultation with the participants, lead workshops and provide input, coordinate research and exchange sessions, and contribute their expertise in fair practice . The Zirkusquartier provides facilities, lodging, and meals for all participants. Travel expenses cannot be covered.

Program

Wednesday, Oct. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 1
(Arrival on Oct. 27 and departure on Nov. 2 are possible)

Practice
The week will focus on practical work and research. There will be group warm-ups, workshops, and presentations. Participants will also have time to work on their own projects or ideas developed during the week. The week will conclude with a public work-in-progress sharing session on Sunday, November 1st, where excerpts from participants’ work and insights gained during the week will be shared with the audience.

Exchange
The week offers space for exchanging ideas on working methods, experiences, and pressing issues. Practical tools from the field of Fair Practice, such as communication culture, feedback methods, and reflection on power dynamics, will also be shared and applied in a collaborative dialogue.

Production
On Friday, October 30th, the Production Café will take place in the Zirkusquartier with an expert from artFAQ (a production platform in Zurich), offering advice and assistance with all production-related questions. Participants of the week can attend the Production Café with their production-related questions as needed.

Application Criteria

• You have recently completed or started training to work in the field of circus and/or physical theater, and would like to get to know the Swiss circus scene or the Zirkusquartier (no more than 5 years ago; formal training is not required)
• Do you have a project or research topic you’d like to work on?
• You have time from October 28 to November 1, 2026 (arrival and rigging on October 27 and departure on November 2 are possible)
• You have a basic knowledge of English

To apply, we need a short letter of motivation explaining why you want to participate in Circ-Exchange Week and which topics you’re particularly interested in right now (approx. 1/2 A4 page), a description of the project you’d like to work on, including technical requirements (approx. 1/2 A4 page), and a CV, to be submitted by September 30 as a PDF to circ-exchange@zirkusquartier.ch

Selection is based on the participants’ motivation and diversity in terms of the types of projects, disciplines, and topics. We especially encourage people from marginalized communities (BIPOC, FLINTAQ+, neurodivergent, etc.) to apply.

Circ-Exchange Week is part of the ongoing Circ-Exchange project, which aims to strengthen collaboration among circus professionals in Switzerland.

Application deadline: September 30

For more information, visit their website.