The future is bright for the circus sector in the south-west! Its innovation and creativity have been rewarded with a new Arts Council England funded project that will cultivate and tour incredible circus shows around and about the south-west in 2024.
Scroll down for the artist call out and the job opportunity.
Circus Around and About 2 will build on the successful 2021 pilot tour and go to new lengths to foster the burgeoning UK contemporary circus sector and tour extraordinary circus shows to rural and urban communities across the region. This 21 month project is spearheaded by a partnership between Somerset-based Take Art, London and Portsmouth based Crying Out Loud and national touring organisation Extraordinary Bodies.
This ambitious new project will add value to everyone involved in the under-supported circus sector. The project will work with:
– Educational institutions like Circomedia in Bristol, supporting rising circus artists to tour to audiences and progress their careers
– Professional UK-based and international companies to create suitable work for rural audiences, and communities to present shows that provide access to great entertainment for their friends and neighbours
– Organisations like Extraordinary Bodies, incorporating inclusive and progressive routines in everyday practice
– Festivals, organisations and venues like Strike a Light (Gloucester), Super Culture (Weston Super Mare & North Somerset), School of Larks (Stroud), Artspace Cinderford (Forest of Dean) to programme high quality contemporary circus shows
– Rural touring agencies including Carn to Cove (Cornwall), Beaford Arts (North Devon), Villages in Action (Devon), Artsreach (Dorset), Air in G (Gloucestershire) as well as Take Art
– Bristol’s Circus City festival network and Circus Change Up, a national advocacy organisation, in collaboration with Bristol based Handstand Arts
“Through Circus Around and About 2 we hope to strengthen the south-west rich mix of contemporary circus artists, training schools, festivals and local touring networks.”
Ralph Lister, Executive Director, Take Art
“We are delig
hted to be following up the Circus Around and About pilot with a second scheme bringing more circus to more people, connecting communities through memorable and magical experiences.”
Rachel Clare, Artistic Director, Crying Out Loud
“We are so looking forward to broadening access for local audiences to great circus experiences. It will be brilliant to share what we have learned so everyone can take part in entertainment on their doorstep.”
Becky Chapman, Executive Director, Diverse City for Extraordinary Bodies
Artist Call Out
The project is inviting artists and circus companies wanting to tour from June to December 2024 to apply to be part of the Circus Around and About 2 ‘menu’. This will offer a choice of four companies to our rural and urban community presenting partners to programme in their spaces. The project is looking for 60 minute shows that are ready to tour (with adaptations in some cases) as well as a children and young people’s workshop and residency programme.
– 03 October: applications open to circus artists and companies
– 27 October (noon): deadline for applications
– Tour dates are June to December 2024
For more information and to apply.
Project Manager Role
Take Art will appoint a project manager to oversee the organisation and programming of circus tours across the region
The following experience and skills are essential:
– Previous, proven project management experience, knowledge of touring small-scale circus and an understanding of rural touring.
– Own means of transport to ensure that the role’s peripatetic nature is achievable
– 31 October (noon): deadline for applications
– 10 November: interviews will be held at the Take Art offices in Somerset.
For more information and to apply.
