Major Lift for Circus and Physical Theatre

Creative Australia is investing close to $2.25 million ($2,242,312) to support the growth and sustainability of the circus and physical theatre sector in Victoria. This investment is to provide operational funding for six organisations, and project and capacity building for seven individuals and groups working across circus and physical theatre in Victoria.  

“This boost to the Victorian circus and physical theatre sector recognises the incredible work and ambition it generates. We hope this investment can provide some much needed stability, unlock opportunity and underpin the artistic, community and cultural goals of the organisations and artists supported, and also bring positive impact to the broader Victorian circus and physical theatre sector.”

Creative Australia Head of Theatre Annette Madden

Creative Australia has delivered a range of targeted initiatives to support the Victorian circus and physical theatre sector as part of the Victorian Circus and Physical Theatre Strategy 2021-2024, including investments which responded to key findings identified in the Scan of the Circus and Physical Theatre Sector in Victoria released 18 September 2024.

To learn more and access a copy of the report – CLICK HERE

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Australians attend circus and physical theatre (CAPT) performances across the country. As a state, Victoria holds the second highest share of revenue and attendance, and the state is home to many artists and organisations working across a range of CAPT genres.

In 2023, Creative Australia in partnership with Creative Victoria commissioned City People and their specialist advisors to conduct a scan of the Victorian CAPT sector as part of the Victorian Circus and Physical Theatre Strategy 2021-2024. The purpose of this research was to develop an understanding of the breadth of CAPT practice and impact in Victoria. City People’s report provides insights into the challenges, gaps, needs and opportunities of CAPT in Victoria and identifies future opportunities for the sector.

Areas of focus included practice; presentation, audience and pathways; and infrastructure.

Key Findings

Practice

• Key issues faced by CAPT artists in their practice include funding to make work, access to appropriate spaces to train and rehearse, lack of artistic agency, lack of experienced circus directors, diminishing genre diversity and cost and availability of insurance.
• Priority areas for the sector in relation to practice include fostering genre diversity; encouraging critical dialogue, artistic risk-taking and interrogation of practice; increasing support for ensembles; providing flexible and accessible funding programs; and insurance.

Presentation, audience and pathways

• Key issues faced by CAPT artists when presenting and touring work include limited presentation opportunities, funding, adequate fees, rehearsal space, support from producers and agents, and presenter tastes and appetites.
• Priority areas identified for the sector in relation to presentation and audiences include more presentation opportunities within Australia, a dedicated Melbourne venue for CAPT work, access to experienced CAPT producers and specialist CAPT technicians, funding for presentation and flexible touring models, better conversations between presenters and artists, and audience development.
• Priority areas for the sector identified in relation to pathways include more waged employment opportunities, better pay, career transition support, clear entry pathways for emerging artists, support for youth and social circus, and improved cultural diversity.

Infrastructure

• The need for a dedicated and equipped shared space to train and create work was seen as a key sector priority. Participants felt that this shared infrastructure must be equitable, accessible and affordable for all parts of the sector.