the project
The Circus Village - It takes a village to raise a circus.
This summer a group of Welsh Circus companies and practitioners have partnered up to create a ‘village’ as you’ve never seen before. Borrowing from the Big Top touring culture we all know and love, the village will be an outdoor site complete with circus tents and space for circus people of all kinds and creeds to set up camp. Living, learning, and working together in one space, the village will be the perfect environment to explore what we do, how we learn, and test new ways of doing things - all whilst celebrating every aspect of the circus art form we share. Supported and encouraged by a professional creative team from across all reaches of the circus world - the Circus Village will be the village you wished you grew up in.
Map
The Circus Village,
Llandow,
Cowbridge,
CF71
The Programme
Split across six key areas
Welsh focus fortnight
13 August – 26 August
The first two weeks of the programme will be geared towards the broader Welsh Circus sector, and the specific needs of the people in it. Whether you’re a professional, an enthusiastic amateur, or…
Teaching and training
For both experienced teachers and trainers, as well as those wishing to transition into teaching, we will facilitate a sharing of knowledge and skills throughout the sector in an open and fun envir…
Working Outdoors
Whilst much of the programme will be delivered in the Big Top, we are also placing emphasis on creating work outdoors. With a varied programme of workshops, residencies, discussions and masterclass…
Digital circus
After a period of closed buildings and cancelled outdoor events, exploring the possibilities of presenting work online has never been more relevant. Working to translate what is undeniably a live a…
Creative rigging
At the heart of many great circus shows is a great rigging setup. Looking at ideas both traditional and contemporary, we will dive deep into the specifics of rigging in circus performance. Interrog…
Professional development
Professional development…
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:
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.
Supported by
Arts Council of Wales

Arts Council England

Creative Scotland

contact
contact@thecircusvillage.org
07576 392025
The Circus Village team works part-time (Wednesday - Friday) and will respond to your queries as soon as they can.
site
The Welsh Circus Village
Llandow, Cowbridge, CF71, Wales
project partners
Articulture, Cimera, Citrus Arts, Hannah Darby, Ellis Grover, Elle Kate, Zoe Munn, NoFit State Circus, Organised Kaos, Syrcas Byd Bychan, Up Side Down Circus.