Circus Routes encompasses a programme of work exploring how circus can meet local need across communities in Bristol.
Programmes in the Heart of Bristol’s Communities
We ensure that our festival programme includes free to access offers with a range of partners from Redcatch Park (2021), Bristol Galleries (2021-24) and Filwood Community Centre (2024).
We work with artists to design bespoke commissions that experiment with what circus performance can be.
Across 2023-24 we hosted residencies, workshops and performances in Filwood and in the Galleries Shopping Centre in the City Centre. You can read about that here
Improving Access to Live Performance
We continue to prioritise routes into contemporary circus for audiences, artists and creative workforces that identify as d/Deaf and disabled. Our 2023 festival programme included 7 shows with BSL Interpretation and 5 shows with live Audio Description. Of our presenting artists 26% identified as d/Deaf and Disabled and 44% as Neurodivergent.
As part of our research for 2025 we are working with Centre for the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing to influence our festival design. Our aim is for it to fit with their goal of creating a Deaf Friendly city by 2025.
If you are interested in finding out more visit Contact Us
For more info on our impact to date please visit Our Impact
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