Click to go directly to section news!

Want to stay connected, engaged, and in the know in the circus world? Become an ACE member today!  ACE memberships are available for circus educators and organizations. Our most popular member benefits include content management system discounts for organizations, insurance connections, eligibility to attend national events, and discounts on regional events. Click the button below for more information and to join!

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  Be sure to tag us using #AmericanCircusEducators and use our new hashtags: #WeCircusBetterTogether and #TheFutureIsCircus (You can follow these hashtags too!)

We’re less than a month away! If you’re ready to take your circus education and teaching skill to the next level thenEdCon is where you want to be. Get your ticket and join other ACE members for three days of non-stop learning, connecting and growth October 7-9, 2022. Enjoy an incredible lineup of workshops, panels, roundtables, social events, and more from our industry experts in the areas of: 

• Apparatus Training and Technique
• Body Care for Circus Artists and Athlete
• Diversifying your Teaching for All Body Types
• Insight on improving the Business of Circus
• Mental Wellness in Circus
• Programming and Discussion on Working With Youth
• Safety and Safe Practices in Circus

Sign-ups are now open, but are filling up quick! So click on the button below to get more information about the speakers and schedule and then be sure to register and save your spot.

Register for EdCon!

If you haven’t registered for EdCon yet, avoid the FOMO and click the button below to secure your spot and savings now because October will be here before you know it! PS: we’ve created a virtual attendance option. Grab your virtual only ticket for $50. Virtual ticket will include recordings of some, limited sessions.

New format, same great Social Circus Connection Call. 

In 2022, the ACE Social Circus Program is changing the registration structure for our Connection calls; participants will need to register for each individual call. Join us for our next call, Tuesday, October 11th at 9am PST / 10am MST / 11am CST / 12pm EST.

Calls are *free* to ACE members | $0-10 for non-members

The New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA) is recruiting prospective board members. Ideal candidates want to volunteer their time to ensure that NECCA has what it needs to continue to fulfill the mission and strategic plan.
 
Our Board of Directors is made up of 9 people drawn from the wider regional community and national circus community. Each member brings a particular expertise, as well as a general willingness to give their time, talent, and treasure to support NECCA’s future. Board members are asked to commit to a 3 year term, attend monthly board meetings, and serve on at least 1 committee.
 
If you are interested, please send an email by Oct. 1 indicating your interest and a copy of your CV/Resume to President of the Board, Elizabeth Wohl: elizabeth.r.wohl@gmail.com
 
MORE INFO: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/contact/employment/#toggle-id-3

Frequent Flyers® Aerial Dance, the world’s flagship nonprofit aerial dance organization based in Boulder, Colorado, is currently hiring for the following positions: Director of Education Programs,Community Outreach Manager, Rigging & Equipment Manager, and Aerial Arts Instructors. Visit www.frequentflyers.org/job-opportunities for more information about joining the Frequent Flyers team!

Spend a few days completely absorbed in your favorite circus discipline and take home skills that will keep you busy long after the workshop ends. Find info on all Immersions here: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/training/workshops/
 
* Oct. 14-15, Nov. 18-19, Dec. 10 | Flying Trapeze Workshops
* Oct. 22-23 | Aerial Rigging Basics Workshop
* Oct. 24-25 | Advanced Rigging Topics Workshop
* Nov. 5-6 | Lyra Immersion
* Nov. 11-13 | Straps Immersion
* Nov. 18-20 | Hand Balancing Immersion
* Nov. 18-20 | Vertical Dance Immersion
* Nov. 26-27 | Russian Bar Immersion

Come learn rigging and risk management principles for aerial acrobatics, circus, and dance in these rigging workshops at NECCA!
 
* Aerial Rigging Basics: Oct. 22-23
https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4979#EventID=2222800

* Advanced Topics: Oct. 24-25
https://go.asapconnected.com/?org=4979#EventID=2222799

Both Aerial Rigging Basics and Advanced Topics will feature practical demonstrations using computerized load-cell technology, and will provide access to an array of skills and techniques for safe and effective performance rigging.
 
FIND MORE INFO AND REGISTER ONLINE: https://necenterforcircusarts.org/about/aerial-rigging-basics/

The last online certification courses of the Quat Props functional juggling teacher training seminar for 2022 will take place this Oct. 23 – Nov. 20. Courses are available in either English or Spanish. 
Participants of this course should expect to gain a stronger understanding of the sensory elements most responsible for stimulating the experience of juggling and how we can better apply them as a creative source of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical forms of intervention.  
 
Dates: 10/23, 10/31, 11/6, 11/13, and 11/20 

Schedule: 

• English Session – Sundays from 19:00-21:30 (CET) or 14:00-15:30 (EST)
• Sesiones en Español – Domingos de 15:00-17:00 (CET) or 10:00-11:30 (EST)

 
Pricing: 

• Early bird Registration = €85 (before October 1st)  
• Standard =  €100 (after October 1st))

Register/Inscripción: visit www.quatprops.net

Register for L1 Aerial Straps 40-hour Online Teacher and Performer Training – coming Fall 2022

Created and produced by Aaron Koz, and co-taught by Max March-Steinman, founder of CircSci, the Level 1 Straps Teacher Training draws on over 10 years of aerial and movement instruction in the field. Key information will be shared via lectures, group discussion, and practical application. Concepts addressed include: lesson and curriculum development, skills, spotting techniques, safety, anatomy, injury prevention, creativity, progression, grip strength training, dynamic and strength technique, and teaching tips. Register here!

This 50 hour Remote Teacher Training Course is a comprehensive and fully interactive training that you can do in your local studio or on your approved home rigging. It includes independent study, group instruction & personalized feedback as well as lifetime access to over 200 recorded reference videos and other course materials. There are 3 weekly zoom classes delivered in multiple time zones over the 4 week program.
 
Upcoming Trainings: 

Level 2 Silks, Trapeze or Lyra

• Dates: Oct 29 – Nov 26th, 2022

Visit the WEBSITE for more information.

Circus Arts Institute is thrilled to be continuing our training programs online!  Plus, we will be hosting our Intermediate Aerial Teacher Training in-person!  Please visit our website to learn more about Circus Arts Institute’s online training program and our current course offerings.

Registration is NOW OPEN for Circus Arts Institutes’ Upcoming Aerial Teacher Trainings Intermediate: October 21-24, 2022 * 
Beginner: Nov. 4-7, 2022 (Silks, Lyra or Trapeze)**
* This will be live/in-person in Atlanta, GA.  Beginner Certification from Circus Arts Institute is a pre-requisite for this training.
** This will be online. Please let us know if you are interested in Spanish Web, we will add based on interest.  

For details and to register, visit: https://www.circusartsinstitute.com/attreg.html

Questions? Email info@circusartsinstitute.com

Registration is NOW OPEN for Circus Arts Institutes’ Upcoming Circus Arts Therapy® Trainings this Winter all ONLINE!

Level 1: March 13-19, 2023
Includes 25 hours Circus Arts Therapy® Level 1 Training + 20 hours Adaptive Aerial Teacher Training

Level 2: March 24-26, 2023
Includes 20-hours Circus Arts Therapy® Level 2 Training
For BOTH Level 1 and Level 2  
   – Pricing information
   –  Social Work CEUs are available 
For details and to register, visit: https://www.circusartsinstitute.com/attreg.html
Questions? Email info@circusartsinstitute.com

Sky Candy is holding Bungee Teaching Training in March 2023. Want to check out what this new fitness trend is all about before committing to the full teacher training? You can try out bungee for yourself and learn the fundamentals of teaching bungee as an apparatus at the EdCon session, Bungee Basics: Low Impact High Fun New Fitness Trend hosted by Amy Myers and Winnie Hsia that was just added to the schedule for Sunday, October 9th at 10:45am.

Check out info on the teacher training here:
https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws?studioid=28231&stype=-110&sView=day&sLoc=0

Join the American Circus Alliance for a two part virtual tent workshop! 

Part 1: Considerations before you buy a Circus Tent 

So you want to buy a circus tent?  Talk to the experts about what to consider before you buy. Also known as ‘don’t get surprised by all the incidentals’, budgeting for lots of stakes and sledge hammers, planning the initial set up, anticipating all the maintenance, etc.Led by Nat Brown – tent owner, and consultant for buyers and users.

When: September 19 (Monday), 12 – 1 pm Eastern

Part 2: Touring with a Tent aka Logistics

Before you buy a circus tent, understand the logistics of touring with it – trucks and trailers, permits, location scouting, seating, electricity, water, parking, and more. Led by Danny Rodriguez– Operations Director, UniverSoul Circus.

When: October 17 (Monday) 12 – 1 pm Eastern

Both are free for ACA members/ annual membership is only $25/year
Register at www.americancircusalliance.org

The THIRD ANNUAL CSAW Fundraiser is Here! Can you help CSAW raise $25,000 to continue providing grants for US Circus Artists of Color?
 
This year CSAW is raising $25K in order to:

• Offer yet ANOTHER year of $1K microgrants to US Circus Artists of Color
• Continue to provide resources for circus artists around the world
• AND Ensure the sustainability of our organization by paying our staff for their work!

CSAW is a non-profit circus organization that works to increase accessibility of information and funding for circus artists of all backgrounds. By October 1st 2022, CSAW will have awarded $41,500 in grant funding to 30 different US Circus Artists of Color. Can you help them continue to provide these resources for BIPOC artists? CSAW is committed to continuing to take action against racism and they hope you will join them in these efforts.
 
CSAW will be raising $25,000 again this year to fund our Microgrant Program and to support more grant programming in 2023!  All grant awardees are chosen by paid selection committees composed entirely of established circus artists of color.
 
To date, more than 250 U.S. circus artists of color have applied for CSAW grants. CSAW knows that these long-term, sustainable, programs are crucial to our community. They need your help to continue them. Donate and learn more at: https://igg.me/at/csawgrants2022

Acting for Climate Scandinavia is thrilled to invite you to RIPPLES | THE SAILING CIRCUS PERFORMANCE which will be presented at Ofelia Plads, Copenhagen, in September 2022. 
 
The seed of Acting for Climate was planted in Norway in 2014, with a dream of using our profession as artists to inspire action for a sustainable future. Now, we are a company creating and touring our own performances, and a growing network of people, artists and activists that nurture collaboration for sustainability.
 
The sailing circus performance “Ripples” set sail across the Baltic sea to inspire people to act for a more sustainable future. Combining performing arts and environmental activism, we set sail for hope, for action and for change. Ripples will be played on decks, and high up in the rig and masts of the sail ship Swallow from 1926.
 
With extreme acrobatics all the way up to the top of the 20 meters high masts, the ship as stage, a world-class international team of artists, and a soundscape blending in voices of climate activists all around the world, Ripples is a one of a kind performance. We present a voyage into the future, into the hopes of a new generation who feels truly connected to nature and to what being an artist means. Artistic expression is a powerful tool to empower society, to embody ecological grief and hope for the future within the ship’s magnificent framework. 
“Ripples” reaches out to people and creates space to reflect. Join us!
 
The schedule can be found here: https://www.actingforclimate.com/ripples

You can now learn Pole and Rope Mallakhamb at your convenience from your space. 
 
Mallakhamb Federation USA (MFU) has created a Mallakhamb Marketplace ™ to support adoption of Mallakhamb globally. Top 5 features are:

• Learn Pole and Rope Mallakhamb in three stages – Recreational, Intermediate, and Advanced. Learn Pole and Rope Mallakhamb skills by categories – Mount, Dismount, Yoga, Intercepts and combinations. Videos are ~ 1 min.
• Collaboration with Mallakhamb enthusiasts. No fake users as user registration requires email and phone validation. 
• If you need more guidance contact us on mallakhambapp@gmail.com and we will allocate a coach to you for FREE.
• Rope and Pole Mallakhambs can be sourced through recommendations from Mallakhamb Federation USA (MFU).
• Learn history of Mallakhamb, apparatus required for learning, different forms of Mallakhamb, competitive Mallakhamb and many more.

Download the app now on iOS and Android.
 
For any suggestions, concerns please write an email to mallakhambapp@gmail.com.

The 10th Annual West Coast Aerial Arts Festival (WCAAF) is open for registration!
 
November 10 – 13, 2022
Aerial Dance Theater, Costa Mesa, California
Competition Dates: November 11 & 12, 2022
 
This aerial competition features categories ranging from 7-year-olds to seniors, novice to professional, various apparatuses, and group entries. Competitors receive participation medals, judges’ feedback, and swag bags. The premium competition package includes an audience ticket and free workshop taught by established educators. Top three winners receive cash prizes, a trophy or medal, social media exposure, and the opportunity to perform their winning piece in the award ceremony. Best of all, participants get to make new friends, choreograph pieces with fellow aerialists, and visit Southern California attractions like Disneyland and Hollywood!
 
Celebrating a decade of festivities, WCAAF provides community and competition that nurtures and inspires professional and non-professional aerialists. To learn more: www.westcoastaerialartsfestival.com. Early Bird rate ends August 1, 2022.

Are You, Your Students or Your Kiddos Getting Ready to Audition for Circus Schools This Year? CSAW is Here to Help!
 
CSAW – Connecting Circus Students Around the World has released their 2022 Circus School Application Deadline Mastersheet! Click here: https://bit.ly/csawcircusschoolsheet
 
This spreadsheet includes: 
• Circus schools
• Links to applications
• Application deadlines
• Audition dates
• The CSAW Ambassador for the school 
• How to contact that ambassador! 
• What is a CSAW Ambassador? 
 
A CSAW Ambassador is a current student of their international circus school. They are here to support you through applying, auditioning and attending circus school. If you have a question about a school just send the Ambassador an email or a DM and get an honest answer from a student of that school asap!
 
There are currently 16 CSAW Ambassadors to help future circus generations. You can find all of the current CSAW Ambassadors by clicking here: https://www.csawcircus.org/ambassadors

The Health and Wellness Committee is looking for experienced volunteers to join their task forces. Joining a task force is a wonderful way for community members to get involved in creating safer and more welcoming environments in circus. Community members with expertise in health and wellness topics are encouraged to apply.

Led by a committee member or co-chair, each task force focuses on a variety of specialized health and wellness topics in the circus community. Topics range from sexual violence prevention/response and disordered eating, to concussion prevention/response and suicide prevention. Please note that time commitments for each task force may vary.

If you are interested in joining a Health and Wellness task force, please fill out the application here.

Madison Circus Space is a primarily volunteer-run, nonprofit organization located in Madison, WI. Their mission is to engage people interested in circus and movement arts to learn, share, and grow as a community. MCS serves beginners through professional artists of all ages. In their new, 10,000-square-foot facility, MCS offers activities including dance, aerial arts, flying trapeze, German wheel, juggling, hoop dance, partner acrobatics, an artist residency, and more.
 
“The ACE Safety Program is a huge asset to the national circus community. Getting circus studios around the country all on the same page in terms of safety-specific industry standards and best practices is a huge and important task, and this program tackles it kindly and successfully. I strongly encourage all studio owners to go through the process!” -Carly Schuna, Madison Circus Space

Circus Harmony previewed their Architecture and Acrobats program as the keynote at the Missouri History Museum’s Coloring STL exhibit about the architecture of St. Louis. Architecture and Acrobats tells the story of historically and architecturally significant sites in the St Louis through circus arts. 
 
For the American Circus Educators Conference, October 7-9, in Austin, Circus Harmony staff will be presenting workshops on Circus Class Infrastructure, Two Highs, and Academic/Circus Arts Integration plus serving as part of a Social Circus panel. Are you registered? https://www.americancircuseducators.org/edcon-2022/

Circus Up is proud to announce that their annual benefit will be on Saturday, October 15th. This year’s benefit will be at the beautiful Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA and will feature an open bar, raffle, and a live performance. We will showcase our community troupe, Kirkos, as well as beloved local circus artists and dancers. This event is Circus Up’s major annual fundraiser and all funds raised from this event will go towards supporting their mission to use circus arts to overcome social barriers and build community with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Purchase your ticket or donate here to show your support! 

Materials Needed: None!

How to play: Have everyone get into pairs. Explain to them that they are going to take turns acting as the other’s mirror, trying to copy the movements of their partner.
 
Level One:
Have the partners stand about 2 feet apart – tell them that there is a line exactly in the middle between the two of them, called their “center line.” Partner A will start. It’s partner B’s job to copy their every movement. It’s important to explain to the teams that:

• They must move slowly at first.
• The trick is to copy the movements at exactly the same time that they happen, exactly as they are observed.
• Try to have the partners always be equidistant from their center line.
• The partners are not allowed to touch.

Once partner A has had a chance to go for a few minutes, have the partners switch roles.
 
Level Two:
Ask the partners to add more movement to their actions. Try mirroring each other as they move forward or backwards, use up and down levels, or move around in the room.

• Remind them that they must maintain their relationship to the center line at all times.

Level Three:
Tell them that this time, there is no specified leader. They have to try to be in sync with each other as they move, never fully knowing who is actually starting each movement.

CSAW – Connection Circus Students Around the World met their fundraising goal for the second year in a row and it means that they can provide another year of Microgrants! To be eligible to apply for a CSAW Microgrant for US Circus Artists of Color you must identify as a person of color who is a citizen, resident alien, or permanent resident of the United States looking to further their education in circus and/or fund their circus related projects and needs. All applicants must be 14 years or older to apply for and receive a Microgrant. Applications are open from the 1st-15th of every month. For more information visit: https://www.csawcircus.org/financial-aid
 
Looking to contribute? Please consider supporting CSAW on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/csawcircus.org

Donations help: 

• Provide another year of microgrants to U.S. circus artists of color in need of financial assistance for circus-related expenses 
• Support U.S. circus artists of color further their education through our tuition grants
  Expand CSAW’s impact on the circus community and create more programs to encourage participation in the circus arts
• Continue to pay CSAW’s administrative team for the work they do

In Good Wealth nonprofit organization invests in Black-owned wellness and movement focused businesses to ignite generational wealth and equity in health. $1,500 grants are awarded on a rolling basis to early stage businesses. Circus is included as a wellness and movement field. To learn more and apply, click here.

Want to get discounts with these awesome Circus vendors? Discounts are just another awesome perk of being an ACE member.  Become a member today!

Like discounts like this? The more our members use them, the more leverage we have as an organization to encourage companies to provide discounts!

Interested in including your news or events relevant to the national circus community in AYCO/ACE’s newsletters? Send your submissions to communications@americanyouthcircus.org by the 2nd Friday of the month to be included in our monthly newsletter. Submissions should be no longer than 150 words, written in the third person, and include appropriate links and contact information if relevant. We cannot include PDFs or images, but we can link to them. Please also indicate if you would like your submission included in the AYCOgram (directed towards youth), ACE News (directed towards organizations and educators), or both.

https://americancircuseducators.org

PO Box 1123, Easthampton, MA 01027

We are a nonprofit 501(c)3

Support ACE with a Donation