Creative Australia will invest close to $2.25 million ($2,242,312) to support the growth and sustainability of the circus and physical theatre sector in Victoria.
The investment will provide operational funding for six organisations, and project and capacity building for seven individuals and groups working across circus and physical theatre in Victoria.
Among the organisations supported are First Nations led Na Djinang Circus who will use the investment to continue developing their blak contemporary circus practice and support the making tracks program to provide skills and opportunities for First Nations creatives.
Circus Nexus who will focus on providing a hub for young, emerging and independent circus and physical theatre creatives; and regionally based Circus Trick Tease will be able to augment artistic output and work towards development of a regional rehearsal hub and sector initiatives. Born in a Taxi, Women’s Circus and One Fell Swoop Circus will also be supported.
Highlights from the individuals and groups supported include Lilikoi Kaos to premiere their first solo circus work fusing circus, storytelling and culture; group Le Freak (Themme Fatale) to integrate embedded accessibility into their work for presentation in 2024 and 2025; group Asking for Trouble (Christy Flaws) to develop a new circus and physical theatre work for families; and Kate Fryer to undertake research on a circus and physical theatre directors lab.
In addition to this critical investment directly to Victorian circus and physical theatre artists and organisations, Creative Australia have partnered with the Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC) and PAC Australia to deliver national market development opportunities for the Victorian circus and physical theatre sector.
VAPAC, in association with Regional Arts Victoria (RAV), through Showcase Victoria have received support to build capacity, skills, and experience in the touring and presentation of Victorian circus and physical theatre work across the Victorian market.
PAC Australia will provide bursaries for Victorian circus and physical theatre artists and producers to attend the Performing Arts Market at APAX in Melbourne in August 2024 and convene a specific circus and physical theatre discussion as part of the gathering.
“This boost to the Victorian circus and physical theatre sector recognises the incredible work and ambition it generates,” said Creative Australia Head of Theatre, Annette Madden.
“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.”
Image: Circus Trick Tease (sourced)