About AYCO/ACE
The American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO) and its branch, the American Circus Educators Association (ACE), work together to empower, support, and advocate for circus arts education and learners.
As a unified nonprofit organization, we serve the entire circus education community—from young learners to professional educators—through networking, professional development, and resources that foster the growth of circus arts.
Our mission is to empower, support, & advocate for Circus Arts Education & Learners.
We strive to create a future where:
Circus arts empower individuals and build stronger communities, with their transformative power widely understood and applied in education, therapy, and social change.
Circus education is integrated into schools and youth programs, enriching physical education and the arts while fostering creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
Circus educators and professionals are respected, well-supported, and fairly compensated, ensuring a thriving industry with skilled, passionate leaders.
Safety and excellence in circus training are prioritized, with clear guidelines, resources, and professional development available to all educators.
The circus education community is deeply connected with educators, students, and organizations linked to the resources and networks they need to grow and succeed.
Funders, policymakers, and institutions recognize and invest in circus arts, supporting its expansion as a tool for youth development, professional training, and artistic expression.
We are shaping a future where circus arts education is an essential, respected, and transformative force in the world.
“AYCO started out as a small dream in my heart. ”
Kevin O’Keefe, Founder
AYCO started out as a small dream in my heart. I knew what I did as the director of Circus Minimus, and CircusYoga worked in my communities but I longed for connections to others and to see the national landscape of the circus.
An initial query branched out to those I knew, and we became a small community of teachers and artists for a few years.
The first festival in 1999 was designed by my wife Erin Maile O’Keefe. We floated it on our credit card at Sailor Circus in Sarasota FL. Our organization placed itself firmly on the cultural map with our 2nd festival at Circus Juventas in Minnesota.
Since then we have grown by leaps and bounds by finding strength in diversity and community.
Even our dreams are not our own in the circus. We must share everything.
Our History
Founded in 1998, AYCO was created to support and connect youth circus programs across the United States. As circus education grew beyond youth programming to include learners of all ages, ACE was established in 2014 as a dedicated branch to support circus educators, ensuring they have access to professional development, safety guidelines, and community networks.
Today, AYCO continues to champion youth circus programming, offering AYCOfest, a festival for youth learners, mentorship, and youth-driven initiatives like HupSquad and the Youth Advisory Committee.
Meanwhile, ACE provides essential resources for circus educators, including the Safety Network, Social Circus Network, and the Circus Educators Conference.
