The Centre for Practise as Research in Theatre at the University of Tampere runs a nationwide project with ESF (European Social Fund) support in the field of social circus in Finland. The main goals of the Social Circus -project is to stabilize social circus in the Finnish circus scene, develop it as a welfare service and create a functional network among the people who practise social circus in Finland. The project is funded by the State Provincial Office of Lapland.
Pilot projects in 7 different circus organisations teach social circus to different groups with special needs in Tampere, Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, Oulu, Lempäälä and Orivesi. The circus lessons are held from Fall 2009 until the end of Spring 2011, after which all the material and reports gathered during the project will be analyzed and organized.
The Social Circus -project also organizes three seminars in the field of social circus, where international experts in social circus will be asked to explain and demonstrate the development of social circus in other countries. The first two seminars focus on the education and networking of social circus teachers from the pilot projects, and the last seminar will present social circus to the municipalities and the people in charge of welfare services.
Social circus has the ability to offer meaningful, empowering experiences that develop both self confidence and teamwork skills. Circus is a very versatile art form that doesn’t even require a common language. It provides such a diverse field of experiences, that people who might not be able to enjoy other art forms, have a chance of expressing themselves with it. This is why social circus is so well suited for example for children and youth who have special needs in learning, moving or social growth or who are in danger of alienation from society.
Circus organisations involved in the project:
Sorin Sirkus (Tampere)
Fire show group Flamma (Tampere)
Cirko – Center for New Circus (Helsinki and Vantaa)
Espoo School of Performing Arts (Espoo)
Oulun Tähtisirkus (Oulu)
Cultural center Pii Poo (Lempäälä)
Sirkus Supiainen (Orivesi)
Additional information:
Sofia-Charlotta Kakko
Project Manager
Centre for Practise as Research in Theatre
