In a major win for Victoria's dynamic circus and physical theatre community, Creative Australia is injecting close to $2.25 million to fuel the sector's growth and sustainability.
The multi-million dollar investment will provide critical operational funding for six leading organisations, as well as project and capacity-building support for seven individual artists and companies working in circus arts across the state.
Among the big beneficiaries are the First Nations-led Na Djinang Circus, which will use the funds to further develop its blak contemporary circus practice and skills program for Indigenous creatives. Other organisational recipients include Circus Nexus, a hub for emerging circus talents, and regional troupe Circus Trick Tease, which plans to expand artistic output and potentially establish a rehearsal space outside Melbourne.
The Born in a Taxi, Women's Circus and One Fell Swoop Circus companies were also backed in the landmark funding round from Creative Australia's theatre division.
On the individual artist front, highlights include premiere circus storytelling work from Lilikoi Kaos, a new accessible family-friendly piece from physical theatre group Asking for Trouble, and research into a circus/physical theater directors lab by Kate Fryer.
But the $2.25 million investment extends beyond just direct funding for artists and companies. Creative Australia has partnered with industry associations to provide wider development opportunities.
The Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC) will collaborate with Regional Arts Victoria on the Showcase Victoria program to build skills around touring and presenting circus works statewide. PAC Australia will offer bursaries for Victorian circus artists to attend the upcoming Performing Arts Market at APAX in Melbourne.
According to Creative Australia Head of Theatre Annette Madden, the multi-pronged funding approach recognises the "incredible work and ambition" generated by Victoria's circus arts community.
"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," Madden stated.
The sector-wide investment assists Victoria's innovative circus creators with the resources to further raise their artistic game while expanding access across the state.
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