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Circus Development

Circus City is nationally and internationally recognised in the development and support of contemporary circus.

We are distinctly European, with a strong international profile and networks including as an active member of Circostrada European Network for contemporary circus and outdoor arts. We advocate for the work of UK artists internationally and invite artistic collaboration across borders, showcasing cutting edge international work in the UK and leading network building initiatives like International Circus Exchange and New Authors Commissioning Network. Based in an industry-recognised UK city of circus, we enrich our local and national community of artists and producers, bringing inspirational creativity, networking, employment and a responsive industry programme.

Alongside the festival, between 2021 – 2023, we have also been a convenor of Circus Change up, a research and consultation project aimed at developing an artist-led sector support organisation for circus. In 2025 we continued to honour this through a sector gathering within our festival programme.

Current Projects

In 2023 we started the New Authors Commission to provide needed early stage support to artists developing new ideas for circus work and to strengthen relationships between organisations keen to support and present circus across the UK, with the aim of building an indoor touring network. Fore more info on this project see here.

Past Projects

In 2024 we launched a new network – International Circus Exchange – with Cirkus Syd (Sweden), Circusful (Belfast), and Summerhall (Scotland) as part of the Four Nations funding initiative by the Uk’s four Arts Councils. Fore more info on this project click here.

Between 2021 and 2023 we collaborated with national organisations on Change Up – a project to envisage a new sector support organisation for UK Circus rooted in a research project by Crying Out Loud – Circus Snapshot. Although Circus Change Up ceased in 2023 the initiatives and findings continue through our ongoing work, particularly with regard to supporting touring. You can find out more about the project by visiting the website here: Change Up.

  • We are excited to be invited to collaborate with Handstand Arts […] We are keen to learn more about the UKs excellent practices in inclusion and diversity and contribute our knowledge of international networks and Nordic collaborative structures and funding models

    Cirkus Syd – International Circus Exchange Collaborator 

  • Its an amazing, relevant and important festival. Thank for letting me be part of it and including my work in the program.

    Artist Feedback 2023

  • It was great to see a diverse and radical approach to programming that challenged conventions of circus and also made space for high quality international work. I really felt the consideration and exploration that had gone into the festival.

    Artist Feedback 2023

  • It was a great experience to be part of the festival, seeing how much the audience enjoyed the show was wonderful

    Artist Feedback 2023

  • Thanks for providing BSL translator. My company does not have the funding at the moment to include BSL so i was very happy Circus City could do that for us.

    Artist Feedback 2023

  • I really commend the festival for this “outsiders” version; I think it’s exactly what growing a circus community needs; to take risks on programming some considerably alternative shows that expand people’s thoughts and definitions around circus.

    Artist Feedback 2023

  • I felt the focus on accessibility was something that I haven’t experienced at such a high level in other festivals I have participated in; I also loved the communication between artist and organizers; at every step of the festival I felt very well taken care of!

    Artist Feedback 2023

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