Who We Are

Our mission

To steward the development of the circus arts by nurturing new talent, forging new pathways of participation, fueling its creation, and amplifying its cultural relevance.

How we achieve that:

Training – Delivering the very best training in circus to ensure that graduates have the skills, insight, and technical ability to take their place in the sector and develop as professional artists.

Opportunity – Breaking down barriers by developing wide-reaching programmes that provide access for – and represent – as diverse a pool of participants as possible

Support – Collaborating with those creating circus, to facilitate the honing of their craft, nurture the development of new work, and build on the close community that is vital to its existence.

Advocacy – Nurturing the art form and advocating for circus so that it continues to be dynamic and innovative and can take its place within the diverse UK arts sector

Our Values

Accountability

We are passionate about keeping all our staff, students and participants safe. But these approaches are not just physical, and we all have a responsibility to each other’s mental health and wellbeing; calling out and calling in and ensuring honest and constructive communication across everything we do.

Aspiration

We aspire to a level of excellence in teaching and delivery but know that finding ways to improve on what we do is just as relevant. We also celebrate the success of those who achieve within our community alongside circus as an art form, not being afraid to shout about what we do and promoting the joy of circus to everyone.

Belonging

We believe in teamwork and the importance of a shared purpose, and that an inherent part of the circus identity involves a sense of community, supporting and nurturing all within it. We celebrate differences, showcase diverse viewpoints, provide a voice for everyone taking part and are committed to reducing barriers to access wherever we can.

Compassion

We expect everyone to treat each other with courtesy and kindness, be generous in their approach, and be mindful of how their actions can be perceived. And when mistakes are made, we embrace them as vital to our learning, just as we do in the creative process, reflecting upon them and using them to propel us forward.

Exploration

Just as circus artists do every day, we encourage everyone to be curious, take risks and push boundaries so that we can develop new ideas, new skills, and ensure that the organisation can thrive. And when challenges arise, we hope everyone meets them with resilience, responding with courage and innovation.