13 August - 25 September 2021 | Wales

The Programme

Split across six key areas

Background

Why we have created the Welsh Circus Village

With the world the way it currently is, unable to do our usual work, we thought, why not bring the circus sector together, here, in Wales and create a Welsh Circus Village? We want to reach out, listen, watch, and learn from each other, connect with our fellow circus friends, and open up conversations with those around the world who want to do the same. Our village is a supportive place where people can take risks and generate exciting ideas ready to launch into the wider world.

Everybody has a creative and social part to play here – with the aim of developing the Welsh Circus sector, ensuring its quality, longevity, and accessibility are crucial to the future of our art form; a future that depends on all of us. It’s a working village, and every one of us will share responsibility for our welfare, the art we make together, and the shared ideas that will bring new and impactful ways of working both at home, and abroad.

The initial 2 weeks of the programme will be designed specifically for the Welsh circus sector, with the remaining 4 weeks bringing together circus practitioners from Wales, England and Scotland, thanks to funding from the Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council England and Creative Scotland.

take part

Is The Circus Village for you?

People from all backgrounds, cultures and a variety of abilities are warmly welcomed in the village.
The village is open to all Welsh, English, and Scottish circus and cross-artform makers, artists, technicians, trainees; and to the curious creative collaborators of the future. From experienced aerialists to intermediate jugglers, from seasoned techies to fledgling producers and everything in between. There’s not a person out there who won’t be able to find something new and, perhaps even more excitingly, bring something of theirs to the table.

Wales-based applicants - enthusiastic community participants, emerging artists, and seasoned professionals are all encouraged to apply 

England-based applicants - emerging artists and seasoned professionals are encouraged to apply 

Scotland-based applicants - emerging artists and seasoned professionals are encouraged to apply 

We are still structuring the programme and will build it around the interests of those who are applying to take part.

The Circus Village is open to participants over 18.

life in the circus village

What to expect

Currently, we are operating under the principle that people will be in the village for a sustained period (6 days minimum). We anticipate that it may be necessary for everyone to have a PCR test before arrival (we will cover the cost), and potentially regular lateral flow testing whilst on site.

We all hope that by August, the situation will have improved and we will be able to operate in a more relaxed manner, go to the beach and the pubs etc. But we need to be prepared for the village to be a self-contained unit, a bubble, as seen in professional sport and film/television, if regulation deems it necessary.

All normal Big Top touring facilities will be provided. Camping facilities or space to park your caravan are available on site and all meals will be provided for free as part of your stay. There will be showers and laundry facilities on-site.

Access

Support to access

We will be making every effort to ensure that the Circus Village programme is as accessible as possible and will make adjustments depending on the needs of the programme's participants.

We can provide some accessible accommodation in the village.

There will be step-free, level access across the site, and accessible toilets will be available.

We can provide additional format documents and additional support as needed.

The Circus Village team are available to discuss your access needs and how the village can provide you with what you need to take part.

Please contact us if you have access support needs:
contact@thecircusvillage.org
07576 392025

Financial support

Thanks to support from the Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council England and Creative Scotland the Circus Village is completely free to attend, and a stipend will be paid to all freelancers to support their time.

If you need additional financial support to be able to attend, please get in touch to find out what’s possible.
We can provide some support with childcare and travel costs. Please talk to us to find out more and let us know what would be helpful to you.

Please contact our Project Co-ordinator, John, for more information:

John@thecircusvillage.org

Apply

Be part of the circus village

Please fill out the following expression of interest Google form.

If form filling is not your thing you can contact us on 07576 392025 or contact@thecircusvillage.org and arrange a call back to go through the process verbally. The Circus Village team works part-time (Wednesday - Friday) and will respond to your queries as soon as they can. 

Please give us as much information as you can when you apply as this will help us shape the programme and to suggest the best dates for you to attend. The information you give us will also inform how we allocate places if we are oversubscribed.

The final deadline for applications is 26th July and we will confirm places asap, by the end of July at the very latest.

apply now

Supported by

Arts Council of Wales

Arts Council England

Creative Scotland