Circus Snapshot was a qualitative research project which was completed in 2020 lockdown. Commissioned by Crying Out Loud, funded by Arts Council England and led by Daisy Drury, it drew together the professional, subsidised circus sector to create new pathways for its development.

There has been a surge in the quantity and quality of companies, an increase in programming opportunities and a significant increased interest in circus-based performance from audiences across the country. But, in comparison to other art-forms, the sector infrastructure remains limited and there is a need for more high-level advocacy for it to thrive.

In addition to desk based research on audiences and one to one interview, the sector was invited to four Regional Circus Conversations to review the research and create shared proposals to advance the planning, advocacy and actions for the future. 

The final conversation in July 2020 was online and was an expanded edition of Slow Thinking – Upswing’s series of collective, free, online conversations for the circus sector.

The work on Circus Snapshot led to the creation of the new network Circus Change Up.